B&NES Council last week adopted a position on the sustainable growth of the district. 

Councillor Shaun McGall spoke in the debate and warned that the Universities are not planning to build adequate student accommodation to keep up with their intended growth in student numbers.  This could have a negative effect on the sustainability of growth in the district. 

I welcomed the development of a long term corporate position to deliver sustainable growth and the link to refreshing the community strategy. 

It is worthwhile noting the corporate priority to improve the availability of affordable housing. 

The ‘Future for Bath’ highlights the strength of our local education sector.  I know this first hand through working at the University of Bath and studying at Bath Spa University.  The Future for Bath vision includes the need for ‘appropriate provision for student accommodation’.  This is all to be welcomed, however history does not support the optimistic idea that either the Council or our Higher Education partners will be able to deliver this goal. 

Since 1990 there has been an increase of approximately 75% in the numbers of students at the Bath Spa University, but only a 67% increase in accommodation – this equates to an increase of 2500 students but only 300 beds.  Similarly the University of Bath, since 1990, has increased from around 4000 students to around 12000 today.  In its recent consultation on its draft Masterplan 2008-2020, the University of Bath stated an intended growth of between 2000 to 6000 students by 2020 but they only plan to build a maximum of around 2300 new bed spaces. 

These growth plans for our Higher Education partners are potentially NOT sustainable for our community especially if we are serious about increasing the number of affordable homes in the area. 

Purpose built student housing growth MUST outweigh and outgrow the growth in student numbers if we want balanced and sustainable communities.