Leeds student accommodation set for new sports facilities due to student demand

A student housing complex in Leeds could be provided with new sports and fitness facilities if planning permission is agreed.

Housing provider Homes for Students has applied to the city council to install a multi-use games area (MUGA) at Clarence Dock.

The company said students living at the 600-bed Clarence Road complex in Hunslet had asked for more sports facilities.

The MUGA would add to existing facilities, which include a gym, cinema room, laundry room, communal lounge and outdoor space.

Floodlights and fencing would be installed as part of the proposed games area, which would be open from 10am-10pm.

A design report by the applicant said: “The proposal for the MUGA has been prompted by feedback from students indicating demand for such facilities.”

The report said jobs would be created during the building of the new facility.

It said: “In addition, the MUGA will make the student accommodation more attractive to students, thus helping to ensure its continued viability and the economic benefit generated by student spending in the local economy.”

Installation of the games area would involve a loss of parking spaces at the site.

The report said: “The MUGA will be located on the car park at the southern end of the site. This will result in the loss of 28 car spaces.

“However, the remaining 82 spaces are more than adequate to serve the scheme and well above the level of provision currently provided in more recent student schemes the city.”

The proposed MUGA was intended solely for the use of students at Clarence Dock Student Village, the report said.

It said: “The proposal will therefore not give rise to any traffic generation or requirement for car parking.

“The design of the MUGA sits comfortably within its surroundings and is well contained by existing student accommodation block and existing trees and hedgerows on the site boundaries.”

A full planning application is out for consultation until November 20.