4:10pm Sunday 25th October 2009
By Emily-Ann Elliott
Council bosses have been accused of brushing concerns over Brighton and Hove’s student population under the carpet.
Green councillors in the city say they are worried that a report about the issue of “studentification” has been left in limbo.
The Students in the Community scrutiny report, which included 37 recommendations to help students and residents live peacefully side by side, was produced in March after a panel of councillors was set up to investigate the growing student population in the city.
Councillors Anne Meadows, Georgia Wrighton and Tony Janio, drew up the report after meeting with residents, student representatives and experts on student issues.
The recommendations included asking noisy students to keep their windows shut to stop residents being disturbed and increasing council patrols on the streets, on the look-out for people playing loud music late at night.
However, Coun Wrighton said she is worried the situation is not being taken seriously.
She said: “While students are a part of the heart and soul of Brighton and Hove, it’s clear that the high concentration of student houses in some parts of the city is having a negative impact on other residents.
“In the Hanover and Elm Grove area, for example, residents have raised concerns around the noise and refuse problems caused, in part, by the high number of students living in the area.
“But the Tory administration doesn’t seem in any hurry to properly consider, let alone adopt, some of the very sensible suggestions we made.
“I’m concerned they hope to brush the report under the carpet, leaving the many residents who have asked for help in dealing with this problem wondering if the council are ever going to do anything about it. “ Council leader Mary Mears said officials were working to integrate students into the future development of the city.
She said: “Far from sweeping this issue under the carpet, we are working with a range of partners to plan for the future needs of student housing and neighbouring communities.
“The Strategic Housing Partnership is made up of the city council, universities, housing partners, primary care trust, businesses, landlords and estate agents.
“Currently, we are exploring an area-based approach to planning for purpose-built student accommodation which could be incorporated into our planning framework.
We would then use it to guide our planning policies.
“We are working on the ground now with universities on property management, advice for students and dealing with any issues that may arise in the community.
“The universities contribute a great deal to the city and are helping us develop practical solutions for student housing.”
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