YOUR correspondent Mr Pye sees an “Article 4 Direction”as a way of excluding students from living in some local communities (Letters, November 26).

Such a direction would require a planning application to be submitted for any new short-term let properties with three to five residents. It would not apply to any properties that are currently used for this purpose, nor to any with six or more residents, which already require planning permission.

As council officials advised, national guidance suggests that communities can become “unbalanced” if the proportion of short-term let properties exceeds ten per cent. By way of example, the Osbaldwick ward has less than four per cent of such properties occupied by students, so council officials are now looking at whether any The council will receive a further report on the issue shortly. It will also consider other initiatives such as the introduction of a registered landlord scheme (as applies in Leeds) together with the issuing of a supplementary planning document covering short-term let properties, and further encouragement for the successful “good neighbour” schemes being promoted by the universities, students and landlords.

Coun Steve Galloway, The Guildhall, York.