Control would limit student accommodation problems (From Falmouth Packet)

Control would limit student accommodation problems

11:09am Wednesday 13th June 2012 in Letters

So, Cornwall Council don’t want Falmouth to have an article four directive which would control the proliferation of HMO’s. I wonder why this is?

It seems to me that it is only common sense to have such a control which would limit all the problems we are having with student accommodation in Falmouth and Penryn and the lack of rented properties for local people.

After all, just about every other university town in the country has such a directive so why not us? You would expect this common sense to be present among county councillors and staff at County Hall but it isn’t. I wonder why this is? Is it because Cornwall Council are so influenced by all the funds coming in from the EU for the university that they don’t want to upset this financial apple cart?

Do they think an article four would be detrimental to their funding so they continue to farm out all the students to anywhere off campus? Would building more accommodation on campus limit their funds to expand the university further?

Falmouth Town councillors have been banging their heads against a brick wall over this for a long, long time and their views and residents views are being ignored. Democratic it is not. Now the county council are saying that it is too late for an article four. In other words, the damage is done, so put up with it. However, even at this late stage, an article four will prevent further damage to the town and any further house building would give those who are not students a better chance of finding somewhere to live.

Not only that but if, as I understand it, the number of students at the university is going to increase by several more thousands over the coming five to ten years, then an article four now is essential to limit HMO’s. Get a grip, Cornwall Council and Cornwall councillors, and start listening to those who elect you. You have asked us in the recent LDF framework/Core Strategy if we want the university to expand their site to the other side of Treliever Road. Yes we do and we want it to include a lot more on campus accommodation for the students.

Mike Clegg, Trelevra Farm, Falmouth