Revised proposals for purpose-built student accommodation at Clarendon House
Overview
Welcome to the second Clarendon House consultation. We are pleased to share our team’s progress on this project.
Clarendon House sits on a brownfield site at the junction of Western Way and Heavitree Road, opposite St Sidwell’s Leisure Centre. The proposed development aims to rejuvenate the site to create a sustainable hub for student living as well as to offer community start-up facilities.
There is also an opportunity to enhance the ground level public realm and urban fabric, improving connectivity through the site to surrounding neighbourhoods.
Location of the site (marked by red pin)
Public consultation
We are hosting a second round of public consultation from Monday 16 December 2024 to Friday 10 January 2025.
The Site
Clarendon House is an existing 5 storey building comprising partly occupied offices in the Newtown & St Leonard's Ward. It lies on Western Way roundabout, bounded by Western Way to the West, the Triangle car park to the East, Heavitree Road to the South and the Leonardo Hotel to the North.
The brownfield site is in a highly accessible location, and falls within the Eastgate Opportunity Local Plan Area. The area is seeing significant regeneration, with the new St Sidwell's Leisure Centre and Bus Station acting as catalysts.
The area is deemed to have further potential for redevelopment, with the Clarendon House site being considered to be ideal for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), given its proximity to the busy city centre and University campuses.
Aerial view of the site
Design development
Since the public consultation in December 2023, the design and planning team has been undertaking further site analysis, reviewing community feedback and developing more detailed plans. This design development process has been supported by a robust programme of meetings, design workshops and reviews as can be seen on the timeline below.
Summary of feedback from 2023 consultation
Support for:
“The site is in need of redevelopment.”
“Public realm improvements are welcomed.”
“Community/ incubator space is a great addition.”
“Car free development is a plus”
“We need more trees and planting around this area.”
“Roof gardens with planting are nice.”
Concerns/questions:
“16 storeys is too high.”
“Is more Student Accomodation needed?”
“Can the architecture be more creative?”
“Sustainable aspirations should be confirmed.”
“Is the design flexible enough?”
“Is the crossing safe and will traffic congestion worsen?”
Summary of changes
In response to the feedback received, a number of significant changes have been made to the design:
Height: The height of the development has been reduced. The previous design ranged in height between 16 and 6 storeys. The revised design provides accommodation in blocks ranging between 10 and 6 storeys, resulting in a reduction in the number of student beds from 350 to 300.
Design: Enhancements have been made to the architectural treatment and façade design,with classical proportions being emphasised and brick now proposed as the main cladding material.
Landscaping: The new Garden Lane through route linking Russell Street to Western Way has been strengthened by reviewing the layout of the seating and planting and also by extending the green tree canopy. This maintains a luscious, leafy, and playful transition between the civic side of the site and the neighbourhood behind. Other improvements include green edge planting and street trees which will create attractive walking routes, improve air quality, provide shade and shelter, improve the micro-climate, and allow rainwater to be collected and conveyed in a sustainable way.
Connectivity: An enhanced pedestrian crossing improves connections to the city, the proposed new cycle links, and the Heavitree neighbourhood.
Massing comparison
CGI view from Cheeke Street
CGI view from Paris Street
Illustrated view from Paris Street
Scheme comparison in numbers
