Fold-up bike hire could be coming to Leamington as part of plans for 187-room student accommodation

CGI of the proposed student accomodation in Althorpe Street, Old Town.

Brompton is proposing to open its first Brompton Dock hire scheme at the four-storey 187-room development planned for the former BT site in Althorpe Street.

The development plans, put forward by Alumno Developments, have been recommended for approval by planning officers and will go before Warwick District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday January 5.

Working with Alumno, which will provide funding to the bike hire scheme, Brompton is hoping this will encourage students and residents choose alternatives to travelling by car.

The scheme being part of the accommodation or at another location in Leamington is subject to the council’s feedback but either way Alumno would support it.

Harry Scrope, Managing Director of Brompton Dock said: “We are delighted to be continuing our success with Alumno and look forward to bringing the Brompton scheme to the residents of Leamington.”

The halls of residence has also received backing from the son of the late Leamington-born artist Sir Terry Frost.

Anthony Frost has endorsed proposals for artists’ involvement in creating public art at the development and naming a new public garden on the Grand Union Canal after his father.

Anthony said: “Leamington holds an important place in my family history and my dad would have been really pleased and proud to have his name associated with the plans, that clearly seek to benefit the local community and bring back to life this historic part of the town,

“I really look forward to seeing it come to life”.

The plans have been criticised by parts of the community.

Owners of established businesses at the nearby Althorpe Street industrial estate fear they could be squeezed out by the growing number of student flats in the area

They are concerned about possible parking and traffic problems and about the growing number of business premises being bought to make way for accommodation.

And members of the Claremont residents group have sought clarification as to the plan for the management of the increasing student population in the area due to what they say is an “over concentration” with “a serious impact on the community”.

They said: “There seems to be an assumption that this town can absorb ever-increasing numbers of students.”