Plan to turn run-down Kettering hotel into huge 'student accommodation' style block refused

Councillors hit out at the size of the rooms which would not have been able to include much more than a bed and a worktop
The applicant says an already consented scheme for 29 apartments is no longer viable.The applicant says an already consented scheme for 29 apartments is no longer viable.
The applicant says an already consented scheme for 29 apartments is no longer viable.

A scheme to turn an historic Kettering hotel into a 46-bed housing block for up to 90 residents has been refused.

London-based Magic Living Ltd was hoping to turn the empty Naseby Hotel on Sheep Street into a mass accommodation block, with shared kitchens, concierge service, a gym and community courtyard.

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But their plan, which would have been the first scheme of its kind in the town, was unanimously lambasted by councillors on the planning committee who called the scheme unsafe and likened it to student accommodation.

The scheme would have retained many of the hotel’s 41 rooms plus building some additional ones by knocking down the assembly room. The smallest ensuite room would have been just 15 sq metres, with the average room 23 sq metres.

Cllr Cliff Moreton said: “These are hotel rooms, they are not places where people can live. There is no refrigerator – you could not put that in. There is not enough storage. You could not work from home as you would have to store computers. They can’t even sit properly. How are you going to put two chairs in there? I could not put my name to it. The whole thing is iffy and I can’t support it.”

Cllr Scott Edwards was also critical. He said: “Part of it I like, it is quite innovative. But I think it is the wrong area. I dont think it is something that is needed or suited in a relatively small market town like Kettering.

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Parking is the huge issue here. I can’t believe it is recommended we should have 57 parking spaces and we are offering four. There is nowhere else for them to park. All it is going to do is push it into the Headlands area which has its own parking problems.

“I think it is ludicrous considering anything that has four parking spaces. Can you just imagine the fights are going to break out. I’m totally against it.”

Cllr Lesley Thurland questioned where the residents who would share a kitchen with up to 15 other people, would store their kitchen utensils.

And Cllr Clark Mitchell questioned whether people woud be able to live and do home working in such a small living space.

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Police also had some concerns about the safety of the scheme, which could have allowed residents to move unrestricted between the three floors.

The same applicant already has planning permission, gained in 2018, to turn the historic hotel, which has been empty for four years, into 29 apartments.

Speaking at the meeting agent Matt Humphreys said the consented scheme was no longer viable because of the amount of demolition work that would need to have been done in a conservation area.

He said: “Obvious co living is relatively new – it is becoming more popular in London. The key with any co-living scheme is to ensure that the management is there – that is why we have the on-site concierge. The idea of a co-living is to create an intentional community, we find they are very popular with people aged between 21 and 30.

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“It is really that stop gap between uni and buying your first flat. It is very popular in that demographic – great if moving to the area for work and don’t know many people and it is cheaper because it is all inclusive.”

The planning report said the proposed rents would be in the region of £650 a month, which would include all facility and meeting room use. The council’s planning officers had recommended approval of the scheme. A report said that as it stood, the vacant hotel was having a negative impact on the market place area.

Cllr Mark Rowley proposed refusing the scheme due to lack of amenity space and lack of parking. All councillors voted against the scheme.