Don Foster MP and Cllr Shaun McGall support calls for sustainable student housing

4.51.46pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Jun 2007

City MP, Don Foster, has backed a Commons motion calling on the Government to bring forward proposals to amend the Housing Act 2004.

The motion calls for all student properties to be subject to licence and for measures to be introduced to control saturation in defined areas.

Commenting, Don said:

"Whilst no one can deny that students make a huge contribution to the city, I have concerns about the impact of an imbalance between students and local residents' housing in some areas.

"I welcome this motion as a step towards resolving some of these issues, in particular the focus it places on local authorities to use the planning system to encourage the establishment of harmonious balanced communities."

Don has also helped to establish the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Balanced and Sustainable Communities as a forum of discussion for these issues.

Local Lib Dem councillor Shaun McGall (Lib Dem Oldfield) is a member of the nationwide group Councillors' Campaign for Balanced Communities. The group provides a forum for councillors across the country to discuss issues about 'studentification' in their wards.

Commenting, Cllr McGall said:

"I'm really pleased that MPs are discussing this matter which affects large towns and cities across the UK.

"In Oldfield Park we can see the cumulative effect of the growth of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and the detrimental effect they can have on communities. The use of the full powers under the Housing Act 2004 together with the creation of a separate Use Class Order for these types of properties could help in stabilising the housing mix in places like Oldfield Park and help to create more balanced and sustainable communities."

"It is disappointing that the minority Conservative administration has abolished the successful Student Liaison Committee without any consultation with the Further and Higher Education institutions and their Student Unions locally. I can only hope that the valuable work carried out by the SLC and their Community Liaison Co-ordinator can be retained for the benefit of Oldfield Park and the wider city."

"The Council needs to continue to listen to the important concerns of long term residents in Oldfield Ward and ensure that it continues to work in partnership with Ward Councillors, institutions, landlords, the police and fire service and of course students and their Student Unions to find solutions to the issues to ensure Oldfield Park becomes, once again, a balanced sustainable community"