PLANS are in the pipeline for more purpose built student accommodation in Warwick district.
Currently nearly 6,000 students from Warwick and Coventry universities live in the area but over the next decade that figure is expected to rise by 1,500.
And to meet the demand Warwick District Council is looking to build more halls of residence across the district.
Most halls in the district are currently based in south Leamington – much to the anger of many local residents. South Leamington Area Residents group (Solar) has long argued the area was overrun by students.
But the council is keen to look at other areas in the district for the new accommodation – which will consist of flats, communal kitchens and bathrooms.
Early options include Leamington, Kenilworth and Warwick town centres and along bus routes to Warwick University.
The council also hope building more purpose built accommodation will free up Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in south Leamington for local families. Currently some 80 per cent of HMOs in the area are occupied by university students.
Those HMOs returned to the housing market would also count towards the council’s local plan target which is set to see 17,000 homes built by 2031.
A district council spokesman said: “Warwick District Council welcomes all students to our district and recognises the important social and economic benefits they bring.
“The council also understands having a large student population can place stress on the settled community and has an impact upon housing demand.
“Our goal is to support local people while positively integrating the student population among local communities, and encouraging students to remain in the area for employment after graduation as permanent long-term residents.”
All the new accommodation in the district would cater for the growth in students at Warwick University.
While Coventry is also expected to see a rise in student numbers over the next decade, the number of student halls already springing up across the city is expected to cope with the demand.
Councillors were set to discuss the matter yesterday (Wednesday).
