Purpose Built Student Accommodation SPD
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Purpose Built Student Accommodation SPD
Policy criterion explanation
Representation ID: 71503
Received: 16/03/2019
Respondent: Warwick & Leamington Green Party
I'm sorry this is late - I hope it can still be included in the responses?
Comments from Warwick District Green Party:
1) We are concerned that the percentages for HMOs in H6 do not affect the % for PBSAs. This means that there could be 25% of an area as PBSAs AND 10% HMOs, which is not a mixed and balanced community. This needs to be addressed.
2) PBSAs currently have different markets to HMOs. Many 'home' students never even consider a PBSA, partly because of cost and partly because of preference to live in a smaller 'homely' unit. There is no evidence that building PBSAs will reduce demand in the HMO sector. Greater thought should be given to the type of accommodation that could be built that students want to live in.
3) The definition of PBSA needs to be carefully set out: if a developer builds individual a big block of flats for 4 people aimed solely at the student market would it class as a PBSA?
4) PBSAs should not be exempt from Affordable housing requirements as they currently. This should be included in the SPD.
5) The SPD should be developed with Coventry so that there are similar rules across the sub region
6) The definition of a through road should be re-evaluated. For instance Tachbrook Road is a B road and so would be exempt yet it is clearly a residential area.
7) Some of the design aspects set out are to be welcomed. We'd like to see a higher expectation of renewable sources of energy being integrated into the designs.
Comments from Warwick District Green Party:
1) We are concerned that the percentages for HMOs in H6 do not affect the % for PBSAs. This means that there could be 25% of an area as PBSAs AND 10% HMOs, which is not a mixed and balanced community. This needs to be addressed.
2) PBSAs currently have different markets to HMOs. Many 'home' students never even consider a PBSA, partly because of cost and partly because of preference to live in a smaller 'homely' unit. There is no evidence that building PBSAs will reduce demand in the HMO sector. Greater thought should be given to the type of accommodation that could be built that students want to live in.
3) The definition of PBSA needs to be carefully set out: if a developer builds individual a big block of flats for 4 people aimed solely at the student market would it class as a PBSA?
4) PBSAs should not be exempt from Affordable housing requirements as they currently. This should be included in the SPD.
5) The SPD should be developed with Coventry so that there are similar rules across the sub region
6) The definition of a through road should be re-evaluated. For instance Tachbrook Road is a B road and so would be exempt yet it is clearly a residential area.
7) Some of the design aspects set out are to be welcomed. We'd like to see a higher expectation of renewable sources of energy being integrated into the designs.
