I was born in Penryn 82 years ago and apart from a period at sea lived here ever since. My ancestors were here from the 1800s so I think I can call myself a 'Penrynner'.

I served on the old borough council and various committees over the 50 years as a volunteer. I read with interest the letters concerning the student accommodation in Falmouth. We have the same problem in Penryn. The ancient borough is no longer. We have now become a university campus. Every time a house comes up for sale or let it becomes full of students. How do the young people of Penryn and Falmouth manage when reaching the age when they want to set up a home town of their own?

Next door to us, in what was a three-bed council house (or perhaps I should say a two bed and a box room) there are five students, the lounge having been turned into two more bedrooms. Not only that but the owner is having another two bed house built in the garden. How many can they cram in there?

As neighbours we should have been given proper notification of planning. This was not done.

Car parking here is a nightmare, three cars next door not moved from one week to the next and I wonder how many more when the new house is finished?

Don't get me wrong, all the students we have had over the past three years have been excellent and we can't complain over that. A couple of weeks ago one evening my had occasion to call on the students next door. The next I knew was when she returned bringing two with her because they were shaking with cold. They can't afford to run the heating. I notice one letter quoting an average of three students per house, if only it were true.It's about tine the authorities found out what the position really is.

Peter Welch

Saracen Way

Penryn