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Student accommodation provider Vita Group has submitted plans to transform a Victorian magistrates’ court into flats.

The Alderley Edge business wants to turn Nottingham’s Grade II listed Guildhall – built in 1887 – along with former fire and police stations into a 967 room student scheme. It said the Guildhall has been “underutilised and requiring investment and redevelopment for several years”.

Along with the accommodation – which would include a residents’ gym, dance studio, study spaces, cinema and games rooms – it also wants to build a public food hall where independent food businesses with space for around 500 diners.

It would be the second Vita Student block in the city following its Station Street development and includes a new concept the developer is House of Social – with “high-end” shared apartments designed for second- and third-year students.

The site sits within Shakespeare Street, North Church Street and South Sherwood Street and Vita said it would complement plans already approved for a hotel on the Guildhall site.

Mark Oakes, chief commercial officer for Vita Group, said: “A vastly underutilised redevelopment opportunity, Guildhall has the potential to be one of Nottingham’s major landmarks once again, bringing significant investment to the city and a historically important building back to life.

“The plans aim to create best-in-class student accommodation with outstanding amenities, whilst also easing pressures on local housing stock.

“The Market Food Hall will create a go-to destination for all the city to enjoy, providing the perfect backdrop for exciting new independent restaurateurs to bring their new ventures to people across the region.”