Shropshire Star

Rules planned to control university students in Shrewsbury

Rules will be drawn up to prevent students taking over parts of Shrewsbury when the new university opens.

Published

A strategy will be drawn up after concerns from local people that whole areas of the town could become dominated by undergraduates.

Shropshire Council says it is drawing up the policy for the new University Centre Shrewsbury to help ensure that the "right amount of accommodation of the right quality is provided".

It says it has learned from other towns where large areas have been dominated by students living in shared rented houses.

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 houses of multiple occupancy 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."

The council has submitted plans to create housing for 85 students at Mardol House in Shrewsbury's town centre. However, it is also inviting expressions of interest in developing up to 800 new build accommodation units, over the next three years.

The council says its new 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.

The accommodation policy will go before the council's cabinet at its meeting next Wednesday, where it 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.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.