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Catherine McGinty, 5 Feb
Growing concern around Ulster University, Magee’s plans for future
student accommodation in the City has been expressed by Derry City and
Strabane councillors.
Speaking at January’s full Council meeting, Cllr Shaun Harkin (People
Before Profit) warned “Council has to take this as a very serious
matter”.
He explained: “I have met with numerous residents and residents’ groups
in the areas surrounding Magee and there is an issue now where Ulster
University is writing letters of support for developers who are
building or creating HMOs [Houses in Multiple Occupation] and these
letters are letters of support for HMOs. There have been quite a few of
them.
“I don’t know if Ulster University is making any attempt to talk to
residents in those areas about these letters of support or if it is
just putting them in blind because they need more student
accommodation.
“It is having an impact in the area. It is actually generating a lot of
anger and frustration from residents who are objecting to HMOs, for
different reasons, including traffic congestion. It is also connected
to the bigger issue of the lack of housing in the city and right across
the district.
“I think we need to meet with Ulster University officials,” said Cllr
Harkin, who subsequently put a Proposal before Council.
Cllr Harkin’s Proposal read: “Council will contact Ulster University to
arrange a meeting for elected representatives with UU representatives
to discuss its plans for student accommodation in Derry and its policy
of issuing letters of support from HMOs in residential areas
surrounding the Magee campus.”
Cllr Harkin added that he would like to clarify whether or not Ulster
University had a strategy around HMOs.
“Does it actually look into each of the proposals before it sends a
letter of support for the developers?” he asked.
“I think what was also referenced in the Planning Committee discussion
was what were Ulster University’s overall plans for student
accommodation because it can’t just hope it is going to change more
streets and more and more areas around the university by backing the
building of HMOs.
“A number of HMO applications have actually been rejected. Ulster
University has to have a plan for building and creating student
accommodation. This is an issue now and one of the elements is that
people are frustrated about the University’s role,” said Cllr Harkin.
To a ripple of laughter, Ald Derek Hussey (UUP) said he “fully
endorsed” Cllr Harkin’s Proposal.
He added: “[At Planning Committee] II had real concerns about the
number of HMOs coming through with a template letter from the
University. It is just not good enough.
“The Committee subsequently sent a letter to Ulster University’s Vice
Chancellor to ask what plans they themselves had with regards to
student accommodation. Because, they have a responsibility, and we need
them to live up to their responsibility, with regards to their own
students.
“I understand there will be a certain number of students who are
content to move out and live away from student-centred accommodation
but there is a need for the University to clarify their plans as they
expand.
“Their plans for expansion must include accommodation for the students
they are going to attract,” said Ald Hussey.
Cllr Harkin’s Proposal to seek a meeting with Ulster University
regarding student accommodation was passed unanimously.