Every time permission for more student flats is granted we are told this will free up family housing.

However, in my experience, most students, apart from overseas students, want to move out of student halls after their first year and into houses.

As both universities plan a substantial increase in student numbers the pressure on family housing can only become greater.

When family housing is converted to student housing every room becomes a student bedroom (apart from the bathroom and a small kitchen).

If family housing is to be converted to student housing (so that landlords can charge a higher rent than they could for a family) they should be required to provide a larger kitchen where students can meet and eat their meals together, instead of being forced to eat their meals in their own bedrooms.

The reason that so many applications are being submitted for student housing is because the banks are keen to lend money for this form of development.

Why are they so keen to provide funding for student halls? It is because most first year students move on after their first year and the banks can increase the rents for student halls year on year.

Selma Montford