Housing balance needed between town and gown

BARRING dry rot and a leaky roof, a property owner’s greatest fear is that the flat upstairs or house next door will be turned into an HMO – a house of multiple occupation. That acronym stands not just for the patter of many feet, but most commonly of student-sized shoes. According to Sir Tim O’Shea, Principal of the University of Edinburgh, tension between city dwellers and students in the city is on the increase because of a lack of custombuilt student accommodation, which is putting pressure on other forms of housing and creating an abundance of HMOs.

Sir Tim was commenting on a report by estate agents Knight Frank, which highlighted the shortage of student housing in places such as Edinburgh, where almost 75 per cent of students were unable to access university residences or custom-built flats. Although Sir Tim was quick to point out students can minimise friction by becoming active in the community, there is no denying how corrosive the impact of a large student population can be when their presence makes locals feel displaced or disadvantaged.

The rental potential of student accommodation offers such a lucrative opportunity for developers and landlords the market risks being skewed, leaving those unable to afford student rents and in need of low-cost and social housing almost literally out in the cold. Since the constant tide of students shows no sign of abating – and may indeed rise further – it is no surprise resentment is simmering.

Some of this predicament is an inevitable result of the great increase in those attending university in recent years. Its impact is also felt more keenly at universities where more students come from a distance, as at Edinburgh and St Andrews, where a high proportion of students are from England and abroad. Glasgow is under less strain, since more of its students are home-based.

While attracting people from other parts of the UK and internationally is to be encouraged, the potential conflict resulting from students being perceived as ousting locals cannot be taken lightly. Warm relations between town and gown are essential for the flourishing of those within the ivory tower and all outside its walls. Ill-feeling from ordinary citizens is detrimental to the well-being and performance of students and academic staff, and to the reputation of their institution.

But to allow property developers and landlords to take unfair advantage of the shortage of space for students would be to favour those hungry for profit over low-earners whose requirements for affordable housing are every bit as pressing.

We would therefore urge that councils which grant planning permission within university towns be alive to this problem and use their powers to create a healthy balance in housing provision. Should it become clear, however, that planning authorities’ oversight is proving inadequate, then it must fall to government to take a firmer and more socially responsible stance.