Bid to block student-filled city ghettos

Sep 27 2008 by Jon Tunney, The Journal

MOVES to stop neighbourhoods in university towns and cities turning into student ghettos have been unveiled by ministers.

The problem of “studentification”, which effects parts of the region, has caused concerns because of the risk of pushing local families out of areas that become “ghost towns” when students are away in the summer. And while students help the economy, other problems include anti-social behaviour, littering and parking problems.

A new report published by ministers has now recommended a package of measures to deal with the issues. New planning rules could be introduced, making it easier to establish “areas of restraint” to limit student numbers in areas.

And universities and student unions are being told to clean up their act, through building new student halls as well as introducing codes of conduct and “community liaison officers”.

Housing Minister Caroline Flint said: “It is not acceptable that current rental practices allow unplanned student enclaves to evolve to such an extent that local communities are left living as ghost towns following the summer student exodus.”

Senior Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Stone said Newcastle City Council had already introduced controls and warned that Government proposals to allow extensions without planning permission offered a loophole.

Heaton councillor Henri Murison said: “What I would say about my ward is that actually it is about getting a balance. Students can have a very positive impact on a community and they can play a valuable role in making sure communities stay vibrant.

“It’s about having a balanced response and making students into a positive force.”

Coun Murison’s call for balance was echoed by Coun Bill Shepherd, Newcastle council’s executive member for regeneration and housing. He said: “In general we have a very good working relationship with our two universities. They are very important to the economic regeneration of the city.”

A Durham University spokesman said the university was already carrying out a number of the report’s recommendations. “We regularly consult with local residents through community liaison meetings, we run a 24-hour helpline for residents concerned about student behaviour and we have a strict code of conduct that can result in disciplinary action for the minority of students who occasionally misbehave.”