Student planning rows ripple out to smaller universities

A student housing onslaught in major cities as developers rolled out massive halls has rippled out to affect smaller university towns and cities. Property experts claim many cities are now at saturation point for student developments after several years of building - they cite Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool as examples. Now, some developers, like Unite, the biggest corporate student housing company, have retreated to concentrate on catering for foreign students in London. Others are looking at opportunities in offered by smaller, less fashionable universities. Planners in Chester are debating how to deal with the spread of Manchester Metropolitan University to a campus in the city. Social landlord Arena Housing has permission to build 131 apartments for residents over 55, but councillors blocked plans for 85 student flats on a separate development in the city. Conservationists and residents have lost a planning battle in Chichester over converting the former city girl’s high school in to an 88-bed hall of residence - in addition to 317 student flats already under construction on the site for the University of Chichester. The city council voted 4-2 in favour of the plan - but the final decision lies with the district council. Penryn Town Council has grudgingly supported plans for seven new student flats above commercial premises on Commercial Road, Falmouth. The university has had severe accommodation shortages in recent years, resulting in hundreds of students sharing rooms designed for one with the installation of bunk beds. Meanwhile, Oxford City Council ignored protests from residents to give the go-ahead for 45 new student flats off Park End Street. Objectors claimed the flats would add to crime, noise and antisocial behaviour in the area. Council officers investigated the objections and reported there were not ‘sustainable reasons’ for rejecting the proposal.

Landlord blog

Siobhan Smith

Further reading

Concerns as the surge in Chinese students doesn’t match current PBSA performance

University flats rented out to non-students making £100 million

The best locations for investment properties under £200,000