Hundreds sign 'studentification' petition

9:45am Tuesday 27th March 2007

HUNDREDS of residents have signed a second petition raising concerns about the "studentification" of eastern York.

People living in Fulford, Badgerhill and Heslington want City of York Council to include a study of the impact of student housing on communities as part of the Local Development Framework process.

The petition adds: "This study should examine areas with high levels of student housing and explore opportunities to ensure that communities do not become unbalanced as a result."

The petition, signed by 314 people, comes only months after another one was handed to the council raising the same sorts of concerns. Residents are worried about changes to traditional residential areas as properties are converted into flats to provide accommodation for students from the University of York.

A report to a meeting last night of the council's executive members for city strategy and advisory panel said that the issue of studentification would be considered through the Local Development Framework working group.

The report also stated there would be research into the way other local planning authorities addressed the issues of student accommodation and ensured communities did not become unbalanced.

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