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Student tower could become world's tallest
Developers of Portsmouth's next landmark building have been urged to reach for the skies and top the world record for the tallest residence for students.
Watkin Jones is the firm behind plans for a silver and grey tower of 600 student flats on the site of the now closed Victoria Swimming Baths in Anglesea Road, Portsmouth.
Currently the proposal is for a building that will stand 330.7ft (100.8m) tall - just taller than the Lipstick Towerr at Gunwharf Quays. The world record for the tallest student building goes to the Sky Plaza in Leeds, which stands at 342.2ft (104.3m).
Eagle-eyed councillor Tory Luke Stubbs spotted a chance for Portsmouth to make the record books by increasing the height of the planned building.
'Being away from other housing and close to the university makes this an ideal site for a tall halls of residence building,' he said.
'So I'm excited by the initial proposal from the university.
'The Leeds Tower has been criticised for its poor quality finish - something we need to improve on here - but it is still a landmark.
'It would be a shame to get so close to stealing the title and then fall just short. I hope that by the time a detailed proposal comes forward, it's gained the height needed to set a new record.'
Watkin Jones has had a series of talks with city planners and English Heritage over the height of the building, which will overlook Victoria Park, before coming up with its proposal.
But development manager Paul Gillespie said it could still be possible to increase the height by the 11.5ft (3.5m) needed to take the tallest student building title.
'The proposal will be guided by English Heritage,' he said.
'We have spent a lot of time designing the building so that it does not have too much impact on the park - it is a slim building so the shadow will pass over quite quickly.
'But over the next six weeks the next stage is when we go through the building level by level for things such as fire regulations and lifts.
'It does impact on the overall height.
'I will certainly look to see whether we can achieve the extra metres to make the record - and I thank Cllr Stubbs for the heads up.' As reported, the 33-storey tower will host six floors of teaching space as well as student flats.
A planning application is expected to be submitted within six weeks, and the University of Portsmouth hopes the building will be ready by September 2012.
Vice chancellor Professor John Craven told The News the development would not be affected by the government's plan to cut university grants as the money as already been set aside to pay for the scheme.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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