Student housing curb considered

Landlords in Loughborough could be banned from buying too many student houses in the same area.

Charnwood Borough Council is considering a scheme restraining student housing development.

Residents' groups in the town have complained about litter, noise, increased risk of burglaries and a detrimental affect on house prices.

The scheme, being piloted in Leeds, imposes additional planning restrictions on defined urban areas.

It is a practical response to the problems many towns and cities are facing David Hankin, Charnwood District Council

Many living in areas close to the university feel the situation has become almost intolerable.

Stuart Mitchell, from the Storer Road Residents Group, said: "The council has finally been driven to this on the basis of evidence produced by residents.

"This shows the very high number of houses - sometimes up to 90% in any one street- that landlords have bought.

"Now the council is looking at this issue through a consultation and while we are hopeful, it is not an easy issue to resolve."

The scheme is called ASHoRe - Area of Student Housing Restraint.

'Practical response'

David Hankin, head of planning policy at Charnwood District Council, explained what extra controls there were.

"One is to prevent any further, or extensions to, student halls of residents, also to prevent domestic extensions to properties already occupied by students and then also to impose conditions limiting occupation in new-built flats.

"It is a practical response to the problems many towns and cities are facing."

The scheme is currently the subject of a planning inquiry in Leeds.