YOU would be hard put to it to find quieter, more considerate neighbours than the Poor Clare Colettines.

For 140 years they lived a calm, sequestered life behind the brick walls of their convent in Lawrence Street.

As their numbers declined, however, they decided to move to a smaller convent in York.

Now, their old convent of St Joseph’s looks set to be converted into 660 student flats.

People living nearby are less than thrilled. They say the area is becoming over-saturated with students.

We understand the concerns to some extent. If the proposals are approved by planners next week, it would bring the total number of new student rooms built in the Hull Road and Walmgate area in recent years to about 1500.

Yet York’s two universities, and the students they attract, bring so much to this city: wealth, jobs, a richer cultural life. – and, yes, an injection of bright young blood.

The growing number of students need to live somewhere.

And while it might be better to see student accommodation spread out more around the city, surely it is better for them to be living in purpose-built accommodation than in family homes turned into student flats?