University Plans for new Student Accomodation
The Position is as follows:
Loughborough University have entered early pre-plan discussions with residents any other interested parties on outline proposals to build on-campus accommodation.
The land identified by the University in these proposals includes an area of 13 acres at the far end of the campus identified in the Local Plan for development.
The majority of the people of Loughborough have been calling on the University to build more accommodation on campus for some time. These are the first serious proposals from the University to address this concern for some time.
A group of residents from the Nanpantan area have already said they will oppose these 'plans'.
The University have not submitted any planning applications and as far as can see they have not even commissioned anybody yet to move to this stage.
In view of the objections raised by residents I will be arranging to meet with all concerned - residents, University, students and residents of other parts of Loughborough to decide what course of action is best for all concerned. I will publish my conclusions on this site when I have had the chance to carry out a full investigation.
3rd February 2004
The Principal Objections and arguments seem to be as follows:
Access - It seems as though this could be dealt with adequately in the planning process. I understand no access is proposed to the Nanpantan area from the campus.
Parking and Traffic - this could be dealt with in the planning process, although it does of course rightly cause concern.
Student Behaviour - As students will be located on site and if planned properly not directly adjacent to housing this could be dealt with during the consultation process. Most of the student behaviour problems are associated with the student lets in the town- these proposals aim to address that imbalance and therefore may have a positive effect overall.
Arrangement of Sports Pitches - A point which needs to be addressed during the planning process - and there should be room for manoeuvre. Proper design of the development could address many of the concerns.
Environment - concern is expressed at loss of a green space. Unfortunately this land is already allocated in the adopted Local Plan for development. If it is not these proposals, then it will have to be further development of one sort or another in the near future. The Local Plan has been the subject of a decade of public consultation.
Expansion of the University - This needs further work and details. The University has not expanded at the rate it could have done over the last few years. It appears this development addresses some minor growth but mainly reduces the imbalance many of us have felt between town and campus opportunities for accommodation.
Specific Planning related issues - type of building etc. This I am sure can be dealt with during the planning process. Charnwood Planning Department would need to be very aware of local concerns and design preferences.
General Development Issues - ie brownfield sites, other parts of the campus. Many of these things can be dealt with. I support the use of brownfiled sites and indeed succeeded in getting money into the redevelopment of a number of sites in the town. However, many locals now say they have absorbed enough student accommodation and wish to see more on campus. The layout and location on campus of the increased accommodation should be a point of negotiation between residents, the University and the Planning Department at Charnwood.
Increased Crime - There are issues for the students specifically related to crime, but I would need to see further evidence for such claims.
The Consultation Process - on the basis that the University are consulting very early in the process on the basic approach and strategy I think they are responding to calls from the community to be open in their approach. I am assured there are no firm plans at this stage - these are initial sounding discussions. These early discussions therefore are surely to be welcomed.
Reject these plans in principle - On the basis that the land is allocated for development anyway and that we have called on the University to respond to increased pressure on the town due to student lets, it is only fair that open and honest dialogue takes place between all interested parties. It seems from the initial look at this situation that there are many more points of detail which need clarification from all sides before supporting or rejecting these proposals at this early stage.
Planning quite rightly remains an issue for local councillors to decide. However, as planning is a quasi judicial process it is right that elected representatives do not and cannot declare support or opposition to a planning proposal before the process takes the item into Planning Committee. failure to observe this will mean a councillor is unable to speak or vote on the application. It is like a juror deciding the verdict before entering court and hearing the evidence.