The University and the City of York Council are at loggerheads over plans to restrict the growth of student housing lets in York.
The legislation would lead to less student housing being developed in York, with future students having fewer choices when searching for places to live.
Problems arose from 15th April 2011 when the City of York Council made a Direction under Article 4. The planning notification issued by the Council proposes restrictions on “development comprising change of use from Class C3 (a dwelling house) to a use falling within Class C4 (a house in multiple occupation (HMO))”. Landlords would, in future, require planning permission to convert properties into HMOs, despite this being currently unnecessary.
The University voiced strong opposition to the move due to the negative effect it could have on students. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Heaps said last week, “we believe that students should be able to exercise a choice in where they live. Many of our students prefer to live in, and be a part of, the local community”.
She also recognised the problems that this could cause for the University itself, pointing out: “the University is a major employer in the city: the introduction of the additional restrictions on HMOs could hinder our efforts to recruit students from all over the UK and the world”.
Mark Warters, Independent Councilor for Osbaldwick, is supporting the proposal. But Heaps suggested that many of the problems said to have prompted the move are already being addressed. She told Vision: “we believe that the City of York Council already has sufficient powers… to tackle any isolated problems caused by the very small minority of irresponsible landlords, tenants or mismanaged properties”.
A consultation period continues to run until 19th July, during which time representations can be made for and against the Direction. The council affirms that after this it is likely that the Direction will come into force.
YUSU President Tim Ngwena said, ” I support the University’s actions… The council is using student properties as a scapegoat without dealing with the more long-term issues that York faces around housing, traffic control and crime.”