Aberdeen developer reveals seven-storey student flats plan for vacant John Street site

The proposal by Levelling Up Real Estate comes after a previous attempt to build student flats on the patch of wasteland fell through.

By Kirstie Topp

April 21 2023, 11:45 am

New images show how the John Street studen flats could look. Image: Halliday Fraser Munro

Plans have been unveiled to build new student accommodation on a huge patch of wasteland on John Street in Aberdeen.

City-based firm Levelling Up Real Estate initially hoped the £60 million development could feature a mix of flats, private apartments and student accommodation.

But architects Halliday Fraser Munro have now confirmed it is only pressing ahead with the student flats.

The 383-bedroom energy-efficient building could also feature a cinema room and study facilities.

The vacant John Street site could soon become new student accommodation. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

This shows how the building could spring up along the street. Image: Halliday Fraser Munro

It is anticipated that the new accommodation will range between four and seven storeys in size and have a private courtyard for students to enjoy.

The latest plan comes after a previous attempt to build student flats on the site fell through.

Downing Students received permission to build 374 student flats on the former Ambassador snooker hall ground in 2017.

However the development never came to fruition.

The site on John Street, Aberdeen. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

It would be built next to the Lumsden Security building. Image: Halliday Fraser Munro

John Street ‘ideally located’ for Aberdeen students

Two public consultations were held earlier this year to give residents the chance to have their say on the proposal for the huge patch of land.

Developers also met with George Street Community Council to discuss the plan.

Feedback revealed there were some concerns about the height of the building, which has since been reduced.

Work was carried out on the John Street site in 2017 as seen above. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

Here’s how the building would tower over the area. Image: Halliday Fraser Munro

Developers said they looked at what had been proposed before but made some amendments.

They the site is “ideally located” for students in the city due to its close proximity to Union Street, George Street and Union Terrace Gardens.

Meanwhile Steve Crawford, director of planning at Fraser Halliday Munro, said both Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University have been “very encouraging and positive” about the plan.

An aerial impression of the complex. Image: Halliday Fraser Munro

What did councillors have to say about it?

While 140 cycle spaces have been earmarked for the site, keen cyclist councillor Kairin van Sweeden asked if this could be expanded if there was a demand for it.

She was told the developers would look at the site plan and see if there was an opportunity to do so.

Councillor John Cooke also asked if the room sizes would be adequate, after noting a previous application for student accommodation nearby was refused as the flats were too small, before later being approved by the government.

The huge John Street site, which was the home of the former Ambassador Snooker Club, is ready for development. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

There would be space for students to relax outside. Image: Halliday Fraser Munro

Richard Wood, design director at Halliday Fraser Munro told members that all of the flats would be single rooms, but would vary in size to give students more choice.

It is anticipated that around 16 rooms would be fully accessible for those who rely on wheelchairs.