Concern at homing overspill students
Hundreds of Bristol University students could be housed in Bath due to a “high demand” for places this year.
The accommodation office website said that those joining the university through the clearing system would not be guaranteed a room in Bristol.
The website said: “For all nonguaranteed applicants, we cannot guarantee to make you a university-allocated accommodation offer.
“If we do have a room available to offer, it is likely to be a shared room or accommodation in a neighbouring town or suburb, such as Bath.”
June Player, (inset) the independent councillor for Westmoreland ward in Bath, said the city had “reached its limit” of student accommodation.
She said: “I cannot believe it really. The first thing that came to my mind was where are they going to be housing them?
“If they are going in existing student blocks, does that not show that we have a surplus of student accommodation in Bath?
“Why are we still building more?”
Her comments come as plans to demolish a car dealership to build housing for 335 students have been tipped for refusal.
More than 70 people objected to the proposals, with many adamant that Bath does not need more student housing.
A University of Bristol spokesman confirmed that up to 300 students could be housed in existing, purpose-built, rooms across Bath.
The full statement from the institution said: “Like many other universities, we have had a particularly high demand for places in student residences this year.
“Students who had firmly accepted an offer to study here and made us their first choice are guaranteed a place in universityallocated accommodation in Bristol.
“Those who put Bristol as an insurance offer, or are returning, may be offered the option of low-cost shared rooms or accommodation nearby in Bath.
“We are also providing support and advice to students if they wish to find private accommodation in Bristol.
“We have the option to house around 300 students in Bath if needed. However, we are doing our best to house as many students as we can in Bristol, so the final number could be much lower.
“These will be provided in existing, purpose-built student accommodation in the city.
“Students will get a free travel bursary and will have access to pastoral support services available to students living in Bristol.”
Cllr Player also raised concerns about the impact of the extra students on traffic congestion and parking around the city.
She said: “All this ferrying to and from Bath is not going to help pollution.
“Are they going to say they cannot drive? Or will they be bringing in more cars?
“We don’t need to be constantly having more and more student accommodation. It’s a question of balance and sharing the accommodation around.
“I live in a very studenty ward and they outnumber the non-student residents. We need a proper community and that means having different types of people there.”
Ms Player said her neighbourhood had changed a lot in the 20 years she has lived there and was often “deserted” during the university holidays.
“We look neglected and uncared for. You don’t get the sense of a community. We want our children and grandchildren to have others to play with.
“When I moved here 20 years ago it was a much more even mix of people and people used to know each other because they were there for a longer time
“They had a vested interest in where they were living and they took an interest in their gardens.”