Proposals by local developer, Howard Osborne LLP, to build modern, purpose-built accommodation for us on the site of Mount Pleasant House (on the Huntingdon Road) were approved yesterday (1 February) by Cambridge City Council’s planning committee. Howard Osborne LLP is a joint venture between Cambridge based Howard Property Group and Osborne who specialise in developing student accommodation.

The plans have been brought forward in partnership with the College and will see the existing office building and 145 car parking spaces demolished and replaced with four new blocks centred around two south-facing courtyards.  The accommodation will provide en-suite bedrooms and studio flats for around 280 graduate students and university/ college staff.  Cycle parking will be included, encouraging the use of sustainable transport and helping to reduce vehicle traffic in the local area.

The detailed designs of the new buildings have been prepared by Cambridge based architects R H Partnership with advice from Nicholas Hare Architects LLP acting as consultant architects.  The proposals have evolved following a full public consultation in summer 2015 and feedback from the local community and Cambridge City Council’s Design and Conservation Panel.

Speaking about the council’s decision to approve the application, William Jewson, on behalf of Howard Osborne, said:

“We are delighted that our plans for Mount Pleasant Halls have been approved.  They will provide high quality graduate accommodation for St Edmund’s College in an ideal location, at the same time as regenerating the Mount Pleasant site.  We would like to thank both the local community and the Design and Conservation Panel for the role they have played in helping us to develop and improve our proposals for the site.”