Student accommodation
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Within our area there are three further education establishments: the University of Gloucestershire, the University of the West of England and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Outside of the area, but in close proximity, is Hartpury University and College. There have been recent investments, for example the conversion of the former Debenhams building in Gloucester City Centre as a new campus for the University of Gloucestershire. This is due to open in September 2024 and once fully open, will provide brand new teaching facilities for 4,500 students. To support the growing student population there have also been significant new student accommodation developments, including Pitville student village in Cheltenham and Blackfriars in Gloucester.
Through the SLP, it’s important to support the delivery of new student accommodation to meet the needs of the growing universities and further education establishments. However, this form of accommodation tends to be used by students in their first year, with private sector housing used for later years. This can cause problems with the loss of family housing to student lets and issues arising from the loss of character of an area.
How can we make sure the SLP welcomes students but gets the balance right?