An investigation has been launched into how Brighton and Hove¹s growing student population is affecting housing in the city.

Brighton and Hove City Council's scrutiny team has set up its first investigative panel which will research the issue.

The number of students living outside campus has grown by 50% - from 2,000 student properties to 3,000 - between 2004 and now.

The panel will look at the impact student households is having on long-standing communities within the city.

A council assessment of the housing market showed two thirds of Brighton University and half of Sussex University students take private rented accommodation, meaning about 12,000 live outside of campus and halls of residence.

Students are concentrated along the Lewes Road, Upper Lewes Road, Hartington Road, Coombe Road and Bevendean areas of the city.

A key concern is that students sharing larger homes occupy properties that would otherwise be available to families.

Sussex University has submitted a planning application to build 800 new flats on its Falmer campus.

The panel will be led by Councillor Anne Meadows, chairwoman of the adult social care and housing scrutiny committee, and will also include Councillor Georgia Wrighton and Councillor Tony Janio.

Three public meetings will be held to gather evidence and views.

The first meeting, on October 17 from 2pm to 4pm at Hove Town Hall, is open to all residents.

These opinions and experiences will set the agenda for the second two meetings in November when experts will provide evidence to the panel.

Coun Meadows said: "Everyone living in Brighton and Hove understands the benefits and the value that the two universities bring to the city and we very much welcome their presence.

"This is the first time that overview and scrutiny at Brighton and Hove City Council has studied the effects that students living in the community might have on long standing local communities and we will be looking to make practical policy recommendations as a result of the panel.

"I hope that residents in the city, including students, will take this opportunity to let us know their views."

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