A ‘MUCH-needed’ student housing strategy is being developed in Warwick district.
The district has one of the highest populations of full-time students in the country. Over the last 15 years the number of students living in Leamington alone has tripled to 5,200.
While it is recognised students provide a major boost to the local economy, there have also been responsible for a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour, ranging from noise to rubbish.
Warwick District Council’s executive has now agreed to develop a Student Housing Strategy – which will run alongside its Housing and Homelessness Strategy – looking at meeting student housing need, and offering advice and support to both students and residents.
Coun Kristie Naimo has welcomed the development.
She said: “I’m pleased to see the council’s executive have now agreed to develop a Student Housing Strategy.
“This is something councillors, residents particularly of South Leamington and others have been calling for and we hope that officers will start investigating this as soon as practically possible.
“Having a strategic approach to student housing will benefit of all members of our communities – students as well as permanent residents.”
Work will now be done to develop the strategy, bringing the district in line with other areas which have a high student population.
The executive report says: “The student population, mostly within Leamington and Kenilworth, are an integral part of the local community. As a group the student population have particular requirements from, and potentially give rise to particular issues for the local community.
“It is important to promote harmonious relations between all sections of the community.”
