The study, which was commissioned to provide an overview of current student accommodation supply and demand, will be used by the council and partners to inform the developing plans for accommodating students here.
It shows that in 2015-16, there were an estimated 46,132 students in Cambridge with a need for some form of accommodation.
It also indicates that the University of Cambridge accommodated the vast majority of its students in university owned accommodation, while Anglia Ruskin University and other institutions had very little directly-owned accommodation, with students more likely to reside in privately owned halls, shared housing, or the parental home.
The council’s assessment of the study’s findings suggests that the current strategy for student accommodation, set out in the emerging Local Plan, is largely appropriate, but could be modified to strengthen the commitment to addressing the need for market and social housing, as well as student accommodation.
In light of the study, the council will also propose to seek some changes to the Local Plan, to confirm that all student accommodation schemes are formally tied to particular educational institutions which have specific accommodation needs. In order to provide land for student accommodation, the council is proposing changing two site allocations in the emerging Local Plan to deliver student accommodation (at Mount Pleasant House and Old Press/Mill Lane).
The report also proposes setting up a working group made up of council officers and representatives of higher education institutions, in order to effectively monitor student accommodation, and work together.
Cllr Kevin Blencowe, Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport, said: “We recognise that there has been an increasing number of planning applications for student accommodation in Cambridge in recent years. The aim of this study was to provide us with a greater understanding of student accommodation supply and demand in the city.
“This study means we have a clearer picture of student accommodation needs both now and in the future, which will help us plan how best to accommodate our student population, who are an important part of life in the city.
“We would like to thank all the institutions who have actively participated in the study and for their willingness to work with the council in the future. This study and the council’s analysis of the findings will be discussed at Development Plan Scrutiny Sub Committee next week.”
Cllr Blencowe is recommended to agree proposed modifications to the emerging Local Plan to be considered by Development Plan Scrutiny Sub Committee on 25 January, and to agree the findings of the Assessment of Student Housing Demand and Supply for Cambridge City Council. Following this committee, the proposals will be considered at Full Council on 23 February 2017.
Reports presented to council committees are available on the council’s website: http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieDocHome.aspx
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