Despite the fact that the contracts for the two developments are set to run concurrently, they have different timescales for completion; with Opco indicating that the work in Exeter – worth £4 million – will be completed by the summer of 2013, whereas the £3.5 million development in Cardiff is expected to be ready by the close of the year.

Both projects involve the demolition of existing buildings before work on the new housing can begin, but the development at Cardiff’s Summit House, will also see one of the current buildings refurbished for use both as student housing and for other associated services. It has also been confirmed that the Exeter development, which will be located in Sidwell Street, will incorporate a retail unit built into the accommodation block, on the ground floor.

Bruce MacDonald, the regional director for Opco has stated that the development of student housing could prove to be a particularly fruitful area for the company, as it looks for ways to expand in the future.

The report indicates that the factors that property owners need to look into before deciding whether to invest in student housing include whether the property is situated close to the college or university, and also whether the local academic institutions are continuing to invest in attracting new students. The Head of Student Housing, Jo Winchester, emphasised these points, while adding that the number of applications for further education in the UK has risen by 80,000 compared to the same time last year:

“Looking ahead, developers will need to consider student numbers and bed-spaces, but most critically the financial strength and popularity of universities in conjunction with the underlying dynamics of the property market.”

Those looking to purchase property with an eye on the student market are frequently advised to consider older, large properties, as these often cost less to buy and offer potential accommodation to several student tenants. Furthermore they can be furnished to a good standard cost-effectively using means such as websites offering DIY kitchens online, as students will be primarily concerned with rent and location, as opposed to expensive fixtures and fittings.

The planning committee for the City of York Council is being urged to give the eight-storey development, comprising 258 rooms, the go-ahead; on the grounds that it would reduce the student housing shortage in the city, allow families to move into the homes currently being employed to accommodate students and lead to the creation of new jobs within the building sector.

However the development has been greeted with mixed feelings by residents of York. The feedback received in the wake of public consultation proved to be a mixture of approval for the notion of building new accommodation for students as opposed to adapting existing housing for that purpose, and enthusiasm for the design of the block, coupled with fears that it will lead to problems with litter and noise, as well as detracting from the architectural merits of the Rowntree Wharf.

The block is intended for the use of students attending the city’s St John University and, with applications for places at the University having enjoyed a 50 percent rise over the last three years, the need for more student housing in York has never been greater.

Planning officers have controversially recommended approving the application for planning permission for the development, despite an investigation into the site, which uncovered evidence of significant arsenic, polycyclic hydrocarbon and chromium levels. Amongst the diseases and conditions that have been linked with exposure to these substances are cancer, birth defects and asthma. However the report published by the planning office stated:

“It is not unusual for contaminated land to be redeveloped. The key question is whether the site can be safely remediated,” adding:

“The advice is that this can be achieved.”

The development has also met with opposition from local residents, due to concerns about noise disturbances, the height of the buildings and the limited number of parking spaces. Two petitions and in excess of 70 written objections have been sent to the council, but planning officers have argued that the development will benefit the town by boosting local businesses and attracting greater numbers of students. However, if the development receives council approval Border Construction will have to commit to financing improvements to the area’s cycle paths and open spaces.

Student Housing Services has been targeting students in York through flyer advertisements posted in letterboxes, but the company is not on the list of University-approved private letting agencies, nor is it registered at Companies House. Amongst those students and landlords currently dealing with the agency, there have been stories of basic repairs and maintenance remaining uncompleted and rent paid out by students not being received by landlords. One student currently renting a property let by the company, stated:

“The whole experience has just been one of incompetence; we have had to constantly ring her regarding things being wrong. If I could give advice to anyone it would be to stay clear, get housing through the University and make sure you do your research.”

Furthering the suspicions about the company’s legitimacy is the lack of proper contact details. The inability of one student to contact the agency, over an emergency concerning the property, led them to ask Access Properties to contact the agency. Students in the area are now being warned both by Access Properties York and the University to utilise the latter’s service for checking contracts before signing a lease.

The submission of the plans to the local council follows a period of consultation conducted by Downing with area residents, in which the company sought community feedback before completing the final revisions of the development plans. Amongst the changes made to the plans following the discussions with residents is the increase in the size of the swimming pool from 20 metres to 25. The desire to liaise with local residents indicates how keen the company is to succeed with what would be its first housing development in the capital, a desire that has also seen Downing collaborate with the Borough Council of Lambeth, the Greater London Authority and the Commission for Architecture, in order to facilitate planning permission.

A spokesperson for Downing stated that the company hopes that the decision to place the swimming pool at street level in the block, where it will be visible via the South Lambeth Road, will lead to “an animated street scene.” The intention behind this is to support businesses based in the area by bringing more people in, while also helping to solve the chronic nationwide shortage in student housing.

The centre was given a £500,000 grant by Biffaward in November, which is being used to refurbish the building by installing a café, sound and light systems, a stage and mezzanine flooring, but now the community interest business in charge of the centre has to find a further £300,000 in order to make it viable. They aim to try and raise money by means of a “crowd funding” initiative, whereby those interested contribute money in exchange for Peel-related memorabilia.

Amongst those most likely to be interested in such a scheme are students, who made up a significant section of Peel’s audience base, and who continue to hold him in fond regard. However the ability of students to donate is likely to be limited by their own present financial constraints. A promotional film to support the scheme has been made by Eye Film and TV, and their managing director – Charlie Gauvain – acknowledged the difficulties in reaching the target:

“We’ve been amazed by the goodwill,” he stated, before adding:

“To make it to £25,000, some major things have got to happen.”

They have been backed by staff from the East Oxford Primary, who have suggested that the school is in the process of being surrounded by student housing, with the planned entrance to the new housing complex being through the school’s car park. The head teacher of East Oxford Primary, Susan Widgery, has written to the council, expressing concern over the safety of children, if the development goes ahead. She stated:

“We have concerns about health and safety in general. There is very poor access to the car park anyway, and it seems inappropriate to us that there should be a building of this size there without its own access.”

Parents have also expressed serious reservations over the development, on the grounds that the lifestyles of students are liable to come into conflict with the needs of children attending the school. Tracy Byatt, whose child attends East Oxford Primary, said:

“I live round students all the time, and there are problems with rubbish and noise, even in the day time.”

Twelve of the city’s councillors have supported the move to call-in the original decision in favour of the development.

Already the councillor in charge of green issues, Roger Knight, has visited one such property, in McIntyre Road. One of the student residents of the flat, James Rawlings, said:

“I think it is very important for students to join in the campaign as the student population is very large so we have a huge impact on the environment. We should all do as much as we can and make other people aware of how easy it is to recycle.”

The scale of the student population in Worcester is one of the major reasons for the decision by the local council to focus so much of the campaign on them. Students can potentially contribute over 45 tonnes of recycled material per year, which would represent a significant portion of the council’s waste recycling target of 38 percent. A spokeswoman for the council stated that they had already witnessed a significant rise in recycling within student halls, which it is hoped will now transfer to those in private accommodation. A Facebook competition offering Amazon vouchers to the winner has been set up to further attract students.

It is hoped that the proposals, which have now been given the full green light by the Bolton City Council planning department, could help to regenerate the city centre of Bolton, with the mass arrival of students in the area giving it a financial kick start. The businesses in the centre of the city, particularly the pubs, clubs and off-licenses have been struggling in the wake of the recession, and at present three quarters of all properties in the area of the new development – Nelson Street – are unused, with the hotel where the new development is to be built, presently derelict. A spokesman for the planning committee, Cllr David Wilkinson said:

“It is a good use of the hotel. The licensing trade is struggling at the moment so it will be a big boost for the night time economy.”

He added that, with the success being experienced by the city’s university, the additional student accommodation would fulfil a clear need. The new accommodation block, being developed by Forshaw Land and Planning Ltd, will be fully soundproofed, but will feature an on-site bar, ensuring that there will no issues concerning licensing.