Student accommodation strategy to be created for University Centre Shrewsbury
Shropshire Council is set to create a student accommodation strategy for the new University Centre Shrewsbury to help ensure that the right amount of accommodation of the right quality is provided.
The strategy will consider all elements of the provision of student accommodation and its likely impact on the town, and help to prevent the development of unaccredited accommodation.
At its meeting next week (11 February 2015) Shropshire Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the development of policies, and appropriate actions, that will form part of the strategy, and agree the necessary consultation with the local community and private sector accommodation providers.
The final draft will be presented to Cabinet later this year, prior to adoption by full Council.
Work to be carried out as part of the strategy’s development includes a review of Shropshire Council’s type and affordability of housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to introduce guidance on dealing with houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).
This revised SPD will then form the policy element of the Student Accommodation Strategy regarding HMOs.
In addition, Shropshire Council is to work with the University of Chester to develop a student accommodation quality accreditation mark relating to the management and condition of student accommodation. The scheme would be voluntary and would provide recognition that a property meets all the requirements for student accommodation and relevant legislation, and would help students to make informed choices about the quality of accommodation available.
Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and housing, said:
“The council is aware of concerns, particularly from local residents, that there will be high concentrations of HMOs in particular areas and that this in turn could lead to an increase in associated issues. Mindful of these concerns we are keen to take a range of considered measures to manage the process of a growing student population, their housing needs and the local communities.”
To read the Cabinet report, please click here.
Further information
Shropshire Council has formally agreed that it will provide direct delivery of student accommodation to kick-start the provision of accommodation needs, which at the early stages of this project, are not met by the private sector. The council will also fit out and operate student living accommodation or otherwise secure such living accommodation by tendering for services on the open market.
Shropshire Council is in the process of seeking planning permission for student accommodation at Mardol House. This will provide accommodation for the first cohort of undergraduates at the first intake in 2015.
In addition, the council is currently inviting expressions of interest in developing up to 800 further new build accommodation units, over the next three years, through an EU Tender process in order to assess the appetite of private sector developers.
