The developer had previously secured planning permission in 2018 for around 700 rental homes at the 7.5-acre derelict site between Collegelands and Bell Street, but applied for permission for an updated masterplan for the land more than a year ago.

Proposed changes, deemed necessary due to the pandemic, included more green spaces, an “enhanced gateway” from High Street and fewer tall buildings.

The new proposals emphasise an ‘intergenerational community’ with 821 flats for rent (compared with 727 in the earlier scheme) and 681 student accommodation rooms (up from 99 in the initial proposal). The flats will be a mix of studios (121), one-bed (325), two-bed (327) and three-bed (48) units.

There will also be a mix of retail, leisure, food and drink and commercial/business space.

City planners have now given the go-ahead to the revised scheme following some final design changes including to two of the more prominent structures.

The former project included a variety of building heights with seven buildings of 12 storeys or above and three buildings of 17 storeys and above. The revised proposal creates a more consistent predominant building height of nine to 10 storeys, with a single taller building of 20 storeys.

A design statement from architects Stallan-Brand included with the application explains: “The proposals will create a high quality residential neighbourhood supported by a mix of new green spaces, amenity provision and ground floor commercial uses.

“The development will create a vibrant urban quarter that is well integrated with its wider urban context, unlocking new pedestrian and cycle connections to the east of the city centre.”

The statement added: “At its core, the High Street Goodsyard vision will deliver an intergenerational community combining build-to-rent and student provision within a cohesive neighbourhood that services the needs of a diverse community.

“As well as providing new commercial spaces within the site, the development will positively contribute to the wider local economy, bringing increased footfall to surrounding high streets.

“The proposals will deliver a significant amount of new green space providing a mix of informal and formal play as well as a range of amenity spaces for residents and the wider community to enjoy.”