A CAMPAIGN group set up to combat "studentisation" on a York estate is urging residents across the city to join them.

More than 500 homeowners on the Badger Hill estate in the east of York put their names to a petition calling on City of York Council to stop property developers converting three-bedroom family homes into eight-bedroom student houses.

Student representatives today denied there was a particular problem in the city - but the Badger Hill Action Group is urging residents across York to back their campaign.

Malcolm Dewhirst, who organised the petition, said: "Anyone with access to the internet can view planning applications online.

"If any residents detect applications which seem to be for student accommodation, they should tell their neighbours and object to the council through the proper channels. Weight of numbers can influence the decisions of the planning officers."

Mr Dewhirst was one of a group of residents who handed the petition to City of York Council planning boss Mike Slater.

Mr Dewhirst said: "Mr Slater listened sympathetically to our protest and the reasons for our concerns. We were told that the council and the university are aware of the problems on housing and are looking at ways to find solutions in the future."

Since The Press reported the petition, Mr Dewhirst has been contacted by residents from right across the city.

He said: "I have had several phone calls - people in Fulford, Heslington and Osbaldwick are all wanting to do the same.

"I have even had a call from a man in Leeds, who said they have awful problems there."

The campaigners argue that students have a detrimental effect on the areas where they live.

But Rich Croker, York's Student Union president, hit back at those claims. He said: "There may be problems in large cities such as Birmingham or Leeds, but York is different.

"The university is incredibly small in comparison, and students are well spread around the city.

"There is no clustering, not in Badger Hill or anywhere else. It's not a problem at the moment and I cannot see it becoming a problem in the future."