Student flats and a new college building in Westwood Heath are looking set to get the go-ahead this week despite opposition from locals.

Plans for two student blocks and a facility for the National Mathematics and Science college were lodged with Coventry City Council earlier this year.

The 248-bed scheme would go on land at 'The Oaks,' in Westwood Business Park, where many other student flats have been built in the last few years.

Almost a dozen residents and two local councillors have objected to the plans, according to a council report.

But council officers have recommended the scheme get the green light from the head of planning after a section 106 agreement is completed.

Developers have agreed to pay £373,416.45 towards local services and infrastructure if the scheme goes ahead, the report adds.

Councillors will have the final say at planning committee this week (14 December).

Objections Raised

Local have raised 12 planning issues in their objections, the report said.

These include a lack of parking, a need for segregated cycle lanes in the area and an "increase in fear and perception of crime."

Some of their concerns were also raised by the two Conservative councillors opposing the scheme.

Cllr Marcus Lapsa is objecting "due to the saturation of student accommodation in the area, with associated noise and anti-social behaviour issues."

Likewise, residents put forward the "over concentration of students" a rise in noise and litter as reasons why they are opposed.

Flats with over 2,000 student beds have either been built or have had planning permission in the business park in the last few years.

Meanwhile, Cllr Asha Masih said the development is "out of character" for the area due to its size and massing, and there would be a rise in traffic and noise pollution.

Residents also dubbed the scale of the buildings "visually obtrusive and out of keeping" in their letters, the report added.

Both councillors asked for the scheme to come before the committee.

Council Officers' Opinions

Coventry planning officers say the plans will not significantly affect neighbours and would also have benefits.

On anti-social behaviour and crime concerns, the report says West Midlands police have no objections and the block will be managed 24/7.

The site is also 200 metres from people's homes which the report says is a "notable distance" so its size and massing wouldn't affect residents.

The council's planning policies also support the scheme as the area is easily accessible for universities and has a "high quality" design, including recent changes to the college building and layout.

And under national policy permission should go ahead unless any negative impacts would strongly outweigh the positives, the report adds.

This is because the council can no longer show it has a five-year housing supply, meaning there's a "tilted balance" in favour of more homes.

The report also points to benefits the scheme would bring such as local construction jobs and meeting a need for more purpose built student blocks after the council brought in limits on new HMOs.

A decision will be made at planning committee on Thursday (14 December.)