I WOULD like to comment on Hazel Ward’s letter of April 19 on the growth of the University of York and affordable housing.
The City of York Council Labour group strongly objected to the lack of student accommodation on site when outline planning permission was granted during the previous Liberal Democrat administration.
I presented that objection to the planning inspector, many Badger Hill residents were present when I did so, but this was turned down as market forces were seen as a means to provide.
She mentions “all those students now rent the ‘affordable’ housing”.
The issue is that once a council house has been sold under ‘Right to Buy’, introduced by the Conservatives in 1985, there is no control over subsequent owners and little control over what they do with it.
This is why the Labour administration introduced Article 4, against the wish of landlords, to restrict the numbers of houses of multiple occupation – however a Government planning inspector can still overturn our decisions.
On tourists, I would point out that tens of thousands of York residents rely on tourists, and students, for employment. Without tourists and students we would have many more jobless residents.
Cllr Tracey Simpson-Laing Deputy leader of City of York Council.
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