Residents lose battle against housing plan

Neighbours worried about potential student home

Residents of a street have lost their battle to halt a controversial plan for potentially housing students in their neighbourhood.

Plans for a new HMO (house in multiple occupation) in St Andrews have been given the green light, despite residents being upset about the impact it could have.

A total of 24 representations opposing Alison and Chris Stephenson’s proposal for 9 Learmonth Place were lodged with Fife Council – prompting a special meeting of the regulation and licensing committee in Cupar yesterday.

Mr and Mrs Stephenson intend to turn the property into an HMO for five people.

However, that sparked alarm from neighbours worried about anti-social behaviour, rubbish, noise disturbance and parking problems.

Despite hearing arguments against the plan, the committee unanimously decided to support the application.

It is therefore now almost certain a licence will be granted, pending repairs at the address, although there is still a right to appeal through the courts.

After hearing the objectors’ views, Mr Stephenson said: “Principle has been discussed an awful lot here.

“But the principle that hasn’t been discussed is that people deserve a home, free from prejudice or discrimination.

“I hope we can be allowed to proceed and provide something the town needs.”

The property is outside the central St Andrews area covered by a new HMO moratorium.

However, neighbours Graham and Maura Jack argued it was “not in keeping” with a quiet, residential area.

“St Andrews is already well served by HMO properties – there are hundreds of them and they are spreading into the residential areas now,” Mrs Jack said.

Fellow objector Jean Ferrier said: “It would just change the whole tone of our street completely and I feel it’s very unfair.”

James Bennett said: “It’s only natural there will be a leapfrogging effect and there will be a rash of applications following this.”

Professor Chris Todd claimed the move would set a dangerous precedent.

“I’m quite convinced that if we have multiple students or even golfers visiting then we have an anti-social behaviour problem,” he said.

Mrs Stephenson outlined measures to alleviate concerns, including clauses in any contract that no parties or overnight visitors were allowed.

Stressing the university would effectively act as a local agent under a direct leasing scheme and would immediately respond to any issues, she added the household would be kept to a three-car minimum to ease fears about parking congestion and holiday lets were not being considered.

However, she argued young people were effectively being “shut out” of certain areas due to high costs.

It would just change the whole tone of our street completely and I feel it’s very unfair

Pictures: Mhairi Edwards. The house in Learmonth Place, St Andrews, where the occupiers have successfully applied for a house in multiple occupation definition, despite objections.