As we all know, there is a continuing and growing issue of empty student accommodation units especially in and around the city centre. There is one large scheme of over 1,000 units which has never been more than two-thirds occupied. Not surprisingly, therefore, owners and managers are seeking alternative residential uses through the planning system for unoccupied / partly occupied blocks. They include change of use to:
- Serviced apartments for young professionals and graduates
- HMOs (houses in multiple occupation).
These may be for a temporary period in the hope that the student market will pick up (which is unlikely) or on a permanent basis.
There is also the opportunity of ‘repositioning’ older blocks by improving quality for students eg communal areas, better amenities, and lifestyle-focused designs. But in Coventry, while there is talk of this approach, there is little evidence that it will materialise because of low demand and the inevitable higher rents.
The Council is attempting to address this issue in its new local plan which is likely to be adopted in late 2026 or early 2027. Policy H10.3. states that proposals must provide evidence to show adaptability to other uses by being designed in such a way that it can be capable of being re-configured through internal alterations to meet national space standards to meet general housing needs in the future. However, this is an example of ‘shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted’ – it does not cover existing completed schemes or those with outstanding planning permissions.
So, what is happening on the ground in Coventry. Two examples illustrate both negative and positive approaches.
Fortress House
Fortress House (42-48 Corporation Street): This former office complex was granted planning permission for the use of the upper floors for student accommodation in 2012. In 2015, permission was granted for student accommodation on part of the ground floor. There has been persistent under-occupation for over a decade.
In May 2026, a planning application was submitted for change of use of the third and fourth floors from student accommodation to 1 x 16-bedroom, 21 person HMO and 1 x 5 bedroom, 5 person HMO. The applicant claimed that the proposal did not need internal and external alterations even though it was intended for young professionals and graduates.
Coventry Society objected to the application on the grounds that the scheme would not meet the needs of the intended occupiers who would require self-contained accommodation, better facilities and a high quality of internal design.
The Council refused the application in July 2026. It stated that “the proposed development is considered to be unacceptable in principle and will result in significant impact upon the amenity value and living standards of future occupants of the property.”
The message to owners and managers is that applying for only a change of use without considering the needs of future occupiers in terms of internal and external alterations is likely to result in a refusal.
Singer Hall
Singer Hall Units 40-41(Raglan Street): Outline planning permission for student accommodations on the former Singer Works site of 4.8 hectares was granted in 1992 and development was completed in the early 2000s.
A planning application was submitted in early summer 2026 for the use of units 40-41 for managed live-work / stepping stone accommodation and on-site support for young people (18-25 years of age) in work or on apprenticeships. It comprises 28 self-contained single occupancy studios. The scheme will be managed by St Basil’s who already run a youth hub in the city.
The focus is on providing truly affordable housing and support to sustain their employment and training as well as providing a route to independent living. Young people will normally be able to occupy a studio for up to three years.
Coventry Society has submitted a response to the Council supporting the application. We await with interest the Council’s decision.
In our opinion, this is exactly the type of scheme that the city needs to tackle the issue of underused student accommodation and meet the housing and support needs of a specific group – in this case, young people in work or training who cannot find good quality affordable accommodation in the private rented sector.