Fresh plans unveiled for student housing in Fratton boasting its own cinema and gym

Mi Casa Developments Limited, in collaboration with Archer’s Architects, has submitted a planning application to convert the former office building into modern student accommodation.

If approved, the eight-storey building on Fratton Road would feature refurbished rooms, new cladding, updated windows, and redesigned shopfronts.

According to the planning documents, the development would include 100 units, comprising 89 self-contained rooms, 8 studio apartments, 6 bedrooms with shared lounge and kitchen facilities, and 3 fully accessible self-contained rooms. 

The first to fourth floors will include shared areas for students, such as quiet and group study rooms, a communal lounge, a cinema room, and a gym. The main communal area is set for the fourth floor, while the fifth floor will feature a shared terrace offering a quiet outdoor space in the city.

Eight members of the public have commented on the plans, all of which object to the proposal.

One comment reads: “North End cannot support such an influx of people. No suitable parking, no suitable infrastructure. And nowhere near a university. This building would be better demolished and the area re-used for affordable housing for people who could have a positive impact on the area.”

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Another comment adds: “There is enough [student housing] in Portsmouth and a number of these sit empty, house the local people that don’t have a home and make these affordable. 

“Not everyone can pay the silly prices for private renting! Help the local people of Portsmouth, they need homes.”

Planners have set December 20 as a target date for a decision on planning application 24/01089/FUL.

The developers plan to provide spacious, high-quality rooms for students on the first to eighth floors of Venture Tower. Each room will have at least 18 square metres of space, designed to make the most of the building’s layout. There will also be bike and bin storage accessible via a gated entrance from Somers Road.