Opposition is building against plans to develop a student village on the outskirts of Bangor, North Wales.
City councillors are against the plans to demolish and replace a derelict yard and buildings with seven blocks with flats for 162 students.
The councillors claimed the development is ‘out of character’ with the the rest of the neighbourhood at a meeting of the city’s planning and amenities committee.
They are also concerned the village is so far from the university that students will have to drive to lectures - and their cars might cause parking problems in the area.
The plans call for 32 student parking places - and the councillors feel 150 would be more appropriate.
Basingstoke Tightens HMO Planning Controls
Councillors in Basingstoke, Hampshire, are launching an article 4 declaration consultation period as a prelude to tightening up shared house planning controls.
The declaration lets councillors restrict the development of houses in multiple occupation by making property investors seek planning permission before letting to tenants.
Basingstoke has around 140 shared houses. In the past decade, the council has had 62 planning proposals for large HMO, which need mandatory permission., with 25 rejected.
The declaration is expected to cover the town centre, Chineham, Old Basing and Oakley.
A council report said shared houses provide much-needed affordable homes but can have a negative impact on neighbourhoods, like anti-social behaviour and pressures on parking.
The four-week consultation is expected to begin in June with a view to implementing the controls next year.
Inflation Bites in to Catering Costs
Inflation is biting in to the costs of university catering services, with costs set to rise for the next academic year.
One university cooking up an increase is York, where fees will rise 5% across all hall rent bands - with catered rooms seeing the biggest jump.
The estimated average price of catered accommodation will hit £109.90 per week.
“The university’s proposed rent increases are broadly in line with inflation,” said a spokesman. “The cost of catered accommodation has been increased to reflect the costs of providing food.”
