Court Battle Over Student Zones Is Off

Megaclose Ltd objected to a planning policy introduced last year identifying areas where student digs were "most appropriate".Nottingham City Council was concerned some areas are becoming overwhelmed with students.And despite previous legal defeats over planning guidelines, the council decided to stand firm when Megaclose sought a judicial review.

The local authority was advised it had a 70% chance of winning in court, but defeat would have cost more than £40,000. However, the company has backed down and withdrawn from the High Court action. Nobody at the firm was available for comment. The city council is pleased with the outcome. Its leader, Coun Jon Collins, said: "It has always been our intention to work with responsible student landlords. That is what we want to do with Megaclose.

"Our concern is to get the balance right between accommodating students in the city and making them welcome and at the same time ensuring we do not have students concentrating in particular communities in ways that undermine sustainability of those communities."

Large numbers of students sharing accommodation can lead to problems with parking, rubbish, and in some cases antisocial behaviour, such as noise.

Coun Collins said it was better to have a balance of students and locals so that areas remain well populated, even during holidays, to help prevent crime and encourage good relations.

The council's planning guidelines will only affect future developments, not existing student lets. And landlords only have to apply for planning permission if they are letting a home to more than six people.

Residents campaigning against "studentification" are pleased with the council's stance.

Maya Fletcher, chairman of the Nottingham Action Group, which campaigns for balanced communities, said: "I am chuffed. It is the first positive step forward we have had in terms of planning in three years. It will hopefully have an impact on the expansion of student housing into new areas. The really important thing is we have seen off Megaclose. It is the first time the council has been challenged and it has won."

The city council recently sought to tighten controls on landlords by cracking down on those who do not have a licence for their properties

In addition, more dedicated student accommodation has been built in the city, which has led to falling numbers of student lets in some areas.