New Controls Over Student City Centre Flats

11.58.04am GMT Sun 28th Feb 2010

New planning legislation coming into place on the 6th April will restrict the number of apartments rented to students

City Centre Liberal Democrat Councillors have welcomed news that new planning controls will come into force on the 6th April to restrict the use of apartments as flats in multiply occupancy. City centre living has provide very popular for students, with more and more residential apartment being rented out to students. However, long term city centre residents have become concerned at increasing complaints about noise and disturbance.

Now, from the 6 April anyone want to rent out an apartment to student will need planning permission to do so, to convert a property into residential dwelling (Use class C3) to a dwelling in multiply occupancy (use class C4). This will apply to any property with 3 or more unrelated persons sharing a single dwelling.

"Many residents have expressed concern to us about the growing numbers of student renting city centre apartments, and complaints about noise nuisance and disturbance that sometimes arises. Of course, the majority of students are good neighbours, but a small minority do not seem to have any regard for others, especially when living in an apartment block, with late night parties", explained Cllr Marc Ramsbottom.

"These new use classes will mean that anyone wanting to convert an apartment into a student flat will planning permission first, and this will help protect the character of some developments and stop them becoming student ghettos." added Cllr Elaine Boyes.