YORK Residential Landlords’ Association opposes the proposed ‘Article 4 direction’ giving City of York Council powers to limit conversion of family houses to student lets (The Press, April 16).

Yet this proposal has come about in response to a real problem in parts of York, made worse by growing pressure from the university expansions, as second year students from new residencies look for places in shared housing.

It is not the fault of the students that landlords are cashing in on this growth, but the local authority must have this new option available if we are to maintain mixed communities; not more neighbourhoods that are empty for three months of the year and student-dominated for the rest.

Other cities, including Leeds, are adopting a similar approach, with 12 months’ notice, including consultation, before confirming an order. Conversions would not be ‘outlawed’, and permission could not be required retrospectively, but could be controlled according to democratically determined objective criteria.

The situation where elected councillors have to tell residents that their council is powerless to prevent their community turning into a student enclave is untenable – this measure will benefit all residents, including students.

Andy D’Agorne, Green group leader and candidate for Fishergate ward.