By Chris Ware, managing director at Conygar, the developer behind The Island Quarter 

With world class universities, strong arts and culture offerings and a growing economy, demand for housing in Nottingham continues to rise. However, meeting this demand is not simply about delivering more homes but about delivering the right types of accommodation in the right places to support balanced and sustainable communities.

Understanding Nottingham’s housing pressures

Housing pressure in Nottingham comes from several directions. The average house price in the city is now around £194,000 (Office for National Statistics, September 2025) while private rents average close to £1,000 per month, which reflects a 7% annual inflation. These rising costs are being felt across the city, particularly by families and those seeking long term stability. 

Nottingham also has one of the largest student populations in the country. There are more than 56,000 full time students, with more than 45,000 requiring accommodation within the city. Over the past decade, almost half of all new residential completions in Nottingham have been student accommodation rather than general housing. At the same time, Nottingham City Council is receiving hundreds of housing applications each month, with more than 11,000 households currently on the waiting list. 

These figures highlight the complexity of Nottingham’s housing challenge. Demand is high, affordability is under strain and family sized homes are often being used in ways that were never intended for long term occupation. 

Putting the purpose in PBSA 

When students and young professionals rely heavily on traditional housing stock, it reduces availability for families and long term residents. As such, we see dedicated student accommodation as a key component to resolve Nottingham’s planning challenges. 

When people move into accommodation that fits their needs and better suits their lifestyle, larger homes are released back into the housing system, enabling family housing to return to its purpose and create more stable neighbourhoods. It is an approach that Nottingham City Council recognises through its Student Living Strategy 2023-2028, which is aiming to deliver more than 9,000 beds in new purpose-built accommodation in appropriate locations across the city – the biggest outside the capital. 

The Island Quarter is one of the most prominent contributors to this already, with Winfield Court providing 693 beds since it opened in September 2024, with plans approved for a further 394 beds on site. 

Tailored student living 

The Island Quarter is a clear example of how this approach can work in practice. As a 36-acre mixed use development in the heart of Nottingham, the masterplan for the site is to bring together homes, workplaces and leisure spaces within a single destination. This integrated model supports sustainable city centre living and reduces pressure on surrounding residential areas. 

By creating well located accommodation close to employment, education and amenities, The Island Quarter helps reduce the need for family homes to be converted into short term lets. It also makes efficient use of a prominent brownfield site while contributing positively to Nottingham’s wider regeneration. 

A more balanced housing market benefits everyone. Increased availability of appropriate accommodation helps improve access to family homes, supports affordability and reduces overcrowding. It also allows local authorities and housing providers to focus support on those who need it most. 

Rooms for the future 

Nottingham’s future depends on thoughtful and inclusive growth. By investing in developments that deliver the right accommodation in the right places, we can support long term community stability and create a more resilient housing market. 

The Island Quarter represents our commitment to Nottingham and to development that works for the whole city, today and for generations to come. 

For students choosing Nottingham as their home during university, The Island Quarter is fast becoming one of the most compelling places to live. Positioned just on the edge of the city centre, it offers a unique balance between city convenience, community living, and campus connectivity, appealing to both UK-based students and those arriving from overseas.

Winfield Court, and the wider Island Quarter, is quietly shaping the way students experience university life in Nottingham. While it offers the expected practical necessities – comfortable rooms, places to study, and modern facilities – what truly sets it apart is how it fits into the broader rhythm of student life in a city like Nottingham.

One of the most important aspects of student accommodation is location. Winfield Court benefits from being within easy walking distance of Nottingham Trent University, while the University of Nottingham is accessible via direct tram and bus routes, both of which are available just minutes from the site. With intentions to roll out a regular bus service for students, this level of connectivity is invaluable, especially for international students navigating a new city and educational system. It’s reassuring to students, their friends and family that they can easily get to lectures without long commutes, late-night buses, or unfamiliar detours.

But The Island Quarter isn’t just a place to sleep and study – it’s part of a wider urban regeneration project that is deliberately designed to foster community and culture. Restaurant and events venues Cleaver & Wake and Binks Yard give a vibrant, modern feel. With outdoor seating and live music offerings, Binks is rapidly becoming one of the go-to informal meeting spots for students looking to unwind after a day of studying. This sort of social infrastructure plays a huge role in how students build friendships and settle into university life – especially for those moving to the UK for the first time.

The social element of student living often goes overlooked in discussions about accommodation, but it’s arguably just as important as any academic resource. Living at The Island Quarter gives students easy access to a social scene that feels safe, varied, and inclusive. Whether it’s grabbing coffee in Sneinton Market, catching a performance at the Motorpoint Area, or simply spending time by the canal, the area encourages a balanced lifestyle.

From shared common areas to quiet corners for working, Winfield Court supports the ebb and flow of student routines. Crucially, it manages to cater to different needs: some might want privacy and quiet, others are looking to connect and collaborate. Having that flexibility in one location is particularly attractive to international students who may not yet have a strong social network in place.

Cultural diversity is another subtle yet significant strength of the area. Nottingham itself is a multicultural city, and The Island Quarter is a place to celebrate. As a space where local and global experiences intersect – whether in food, music, or student communities – it offers a friendly welcome for those who are looking for an enriching and comfortable student environment.

Students today are looking for more than just a roof over their heads – they’re seeking spaces where they can grow, connect, and thrive. The Island Quarter, with Winfield Court as a key part of its future evolution, recognises this shift and responds to it with both practical amenities and a genuine sense of place. In terms of location, atmosphere, and access to both study and social opportunities, it offers exactly what modern students want and need.

For those starting their university journey in Nottingham, The Island Quarter represents more than just a place to stay, it’s becoming a community, and for many, a home.