Town being sold off for students

I am disappointed to see plans for another plot of land being handed over to developers for student accommodation.

First may I say that I don’t hate students; views are not only my own but from Loughborough residents. “How Loughborough is being sold off for students”.

We can’t believe the amount of student blocks being built in Loughborough; many within the town centre; once built bringing little revenue for Loughborough businesses reasons being many have on site social facilities, laundrettes and gyms.

Not only plots of land but family homes are being turned into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and again reducing a sustainable society to grow within Loughborough.

The number of occupied rooms within these block can average 50% to 65% occupied, so why build more, the same can be said on HMO’s many being empty long term.

Family homes should be for family’s bringing revenue into Loughborough and using our Schools, Doctors, and Dentists and supporting a spread of businesses and services.

People believe students should be based in and around the university, thus allowing a specialising of the services/needs for students; and allowing the town to flourish with businesses and family homes not blocks of flats that lay empty for long periods between terms.

There are many councillors who fight against these and many residents would support but many have or are losing faith in the system.

Is it not about time our council said NO! Putting the long term & future residents of Loughborough first?

A Loughborough Resident & Community Representative