Proposals to offer student flats to the general public have been scaled back – after concerns were raised over parking.

Deakin's Yard in Newcastle-under-Lyme was due to open this year but construction work was not completed in time for the start of the academic year.

Developer Integritas Property Group (IPG) asked for permission to use the 273 flats at Deakin's Yard as 'serviced apartments' for a year, with the seven-storey building reverting back to student accommodation next September. But highways officers at Staffordshire County Council objected to the application, raising concerns that it could lead to parking chaos in nearby residential streets.

They said that each of the serviced apartments would need its own parking space, but Deakin's Yard will only have 19 off-street spaces in total – meaning a potential shortfall of over 250. IPG has now submitted an amended application to use just 68 of the flats at Deakin's Yard as serviced apartments from January – when the building is expected to open – until September.

The company says that this will allow it to 'road-test' the building ahead of the 2025/26 academic year, while addressing the parking concerns.

The council raised concerns that the flats could lead to 'parking chaos' in nearby residential streets (LDRS).

Deakin's Yard, formerly known as the Sky Building, was initially due to open in 2017, but the project stalled after its original developer ran out of money. IPG bought the building in 2023, and while it planned to have it open in time for the 2024/25 academic year, the scheme was hit by further delays.

The company subsequently lodged its application to temporarily relax a planning condition limiting the accommodation to students. Highways officers argued that this would result in a 'significant' shortfall in parking – due to non-student residents being more likely to have their own car.

In their response to the application, they say 'the proposal is likely to significantly increase off-site parking issues/ residential amenity issues occurring in nearby residential streets which is not acceptable'. While the highways officers acknowledge the building's 'sustainable' town centre location, they say it is 'unclear whether sufficient capacity is available to accommodate the development's parking demand'.

In its revised application, IPG argues that 68 serviced apartments would have the same parking demand as the student accommodation, and so should be considered acceptable. An expected parking shortfall of 50 was allowed under the original planning permission.

A spokesperson for IPG said: "This adjustment allows us to road-test the building over the next eight months ahead of its first student intake in September 2025. Our aim is to ensure the building is perfect for the incoming students and that any operational challenges are addressed prior to their arrival.

"Subject to planning approval, we plan to make these 68 rooms available for short-term lets starting in January 2025, following the building's completion in December 2024. This approach allows us to activate the property while aligning with the original planning approval's parking provision, maintaining the previously permitted shortfall of 50 spaces.

"We believe this strategy strikes a balance between preparing the development for long-term success as a market-leading student residence and ensuring minimal impact on the local community during the interim period."

The revised application is being considered by planners at Newcastle Borough Council.

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