Councillors have voted to make the centre of a university town a no-go area for developing new shared houses for students.
Regardless of the merits of any application, the council has put a blanket ban on future shared house developments.
Students argued that the ban would not affect the number of bed spaces required, but would just displace the need in to other areas of the town.
The ban on houses in multiple occupation (HMO) for the town of St Andrew’s split the north east Fife area committee of Fife Council, which eventually carried the vote by 8 to 7. Council planners had recommended the policy should be rejected.
Around 85% of homes in the town centre are HMOs and most are rented by students.
The meeting proved controversial with divisions between the councillors and all public seats taken in advance.
Owen Wilton, president of the St Andrew’s Students’ Association, told the meeting private accommodation for students was difficult to find in the town even though the university housed more students on campus than any other in the UK.
“Restricting the amount of HMOs in the centre of town “would disperse students to the periphery of the town, to areas that are more suited for families,” he said.
Selective licensing for Slough
Councillors in Slough are considering a selective licensing scheme for Chalvey after a study has revealed the neighbourhood suffers from prostitution, drunkenness and drug dealing by tenants living in shared homes.
A report due to go before the council alleges significant and persistent anti-social behaviour in and around houses in multiple occupation is affecting other residents and that landlords are not taking steps to reduce the problems.
A high number of the houses suffer from 'overcrowding and poor amenities' and have a negative impact on the character of the area, adds the report.
Slough Council will vote on the proposals on July 18.
