Report on the Student Strategy Implementation Plan to Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 June
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Manchester City Council Item 8 Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 June 2010 Manchester City Council Report for Resolution Report To: Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 22 June 2010 Subject: Student Strategy Implementation Plan Report of: Director of Neighbourhood Services Summary To provide a report on the progress of the Student Strategy Implementation Plan Recommendations That Members note the progress that has been made on the actions contained within the Implementation Plan. Wards Affected: Primarily Ardwick, City Centre, Fallowfield, Hulme, Old Moat, Rusholme and Withington. Community Strategy Spine Summary of the contribution to the strategy Performance of the economy of The universities play a key role in the economy of the region and sub region the city. The plan demonstrates a partnership approach in tackling some of the issues that impact at a local level Reaching full potential in Through the Corridor Partnership, universities will education and employment be able to maximise their contribution to the success and prosperity of the city Individual and collective self Improved resident’s wellbeing and cohesion within esteem – mutual respect neighbourhoods by tackling significant issues such as crime and disorder. Neighbourhoods of Choice Improved resident satisfaction, making neighbourhoods a place where people want to live and stay 34 Manchester City Council Item 8 Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 June 2010 Full details are in the body of the report, along with any implications for: • Equal Opportunities Policy • Risk Management • Legal Considerations Financial Consequences – Revenue None Financial Consequences – Capital None Contact Officers: Name: Vicky Rosin Position: Director, Neighbourhood Services Telephone: 0161 234 3718 E-mail: [email protected] Name: Ingrid Daly Position: Business Support Manager Telephone: 0161 234 4228 E-mail: [email protected] Name; Andy Wilson Position: Regeneration Manager Telephone: 0161 277 1880 E-mail: [email protected] Name: Peter Babb Position: Head of Planning Telephone: 0161 234 4501 E-mail: [email protected] Background documents (available for public inspection): The following documents disclose important facts on which the report is based and have been relied upon in preparing the report. Copies of the background documents are available up to 4 years after the date of the meeting. If you would like a copy please contact one of the contact officers above. 35 Manchester City Council Item 8 Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 June 2010 Report to Executive 21st October approving the Student Strategy Implementation Plan Report to Executive 10th March approving the Change to Planning Use Classes Order South Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) Manchester City Council’s response to CLG Consultation “Houses in Multiple Occupation and Possible Planning Responses” 1.0 Introduction 1.1 In October 2009 a report was presented to the Executive which detailed the work that had been undertaken in the development of the Student Strategy Implementation Plan and the issues that were being addressed in partnership with the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. 1.2 The Implementation Plan identified the actions that were necessary in addressing the issues associated with a large student population with a particular focus on neighbourhood management and student housing. From the study that was carried out a number of key issues were identified which needed to be addressed under four main objectives, these are; • Develop and improve neighbourhood management approaches in areas with concentrations of student households. • Provide better accommodation for students in appropriate locations • Address the need for resident parking schemes in Ardwick and Hulme. • Take all available steps to prevent further encroachment of students lets into areas characterised by traditional family housing. 1.3 The need to develop a better understanding of the issues and options to shape future action in respect of student housing and the management of areas with high number of students was identified in the development of the South Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) 1.4 Approval was also sought at Executive to an interim Planning policy for development control purposes in relation to proposed student accommodation 2.0 Progress to Date 2.1 Progress on the Student Strategy Implementation Plan is detailed on the updated plan which is attached as Appendix 1. 2.2 Significant progress has been made on each of the four main objectives particularly in the following areas; 36 Manchester City Council Item 8 Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 June 2010 Objective 1 - Develop and improve neighbourhood management approaches in areas with concentrations of student households. A more coordinated approach in the delivery of frontline services is now taken with resources being deployed more flexibly around the student calendar particularly when students are coming to and leaving the city. This is especially evident in the management of waste and recycling services and has resulted in significant environmental improvements. Similarly noise nuisance issues are now dealt with in a more coordinated way across a number of agencies and council departments. This work has been supported by the Head of Security from Manchester Metropolitan University and has been underpinned by the implementation of the Neighbourhood Focus Strategy with which it recognises its central themes. This work will be further enhanced by the filling of the Off Campus manager position with effect from 28th June who once in post will be working closely with community and Student unions’ representatives to help minimise the impact of a large student population in the city. The newly established Private Sector Housing team in the south of the city together with partners are currently developing a detailed and proactive plan for the area to tackle the underlying private sector management issues. This plan of enforcement will include licensing activities. In the meantime the team are continuing to enforce property and management standards for cases on a more reactive basis. The introduction of a new governance structure to manage crime and disorder issues also ensures that resources are deployed in a more effective manner to address communities’ concerns. Objective 2 - Provide better accommodation for students in appropriate locations. Recently the Council has received an increasing number of enquiries from developers regarding proposals for purpose built student accommodation in the City. This has led to the Council undertaking a study to look at supply and demand for this type of development. This has shown that there is currently a potential oversupply of student bed-spaces in purpose built accommodation in the planning pipeline, when matched against demand from both the projected growth in student numbers to 2014/15 and latent demand from students living in the general rented sector. The Council’s policy response to this will be brought forward through the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. The draft policy approach on Purpose Built Student Accommodation is being amended and will be brought to Executive in July, before being consulted on (alongside a number of other draft Core Strategy policies) in August 2010. The key changes to the policy since it was approved by Members as an interim planning policy in October 37 Manchester City Council Item 8 Communities and Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee 22 June 2010 2009 are to state that priority will be given to schemes which are to be progressed in partnership with the universities and which also clearly meet the City Council’s regeneration priorities and that applicants/developers must demonstrate to the Council that their proposals are deliverable. Objective 3 - Address the need for resident parking schemes in Ardwick and Hulme. Work has progressed on the extension of resident parking schemes in the areas most affected by visitor and commuter parking. In Ardwick a new scheme has been introduced in the Groves neighbourhood (adjacent to Hathersage Road) and a further scheme is being implemented in the Grove Village area where consultation will commence in July 2010. In Hulme two further phases of residents parking will be implemented in summer 2010. In addition MMU will fund the implementation of a scheme which will cover central Hulme around the Birley Fields Community Campus areas. Objective 4 - Take all available steps to prevent further encroachment of students lets into areas characterised by traditional family housing. The City Council has a number of powers to support neighbourhoods which are predominantly family housing. The principal control is through the Use Class Order. Following consultation with local authorities on how to deal with high concentrations of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which the City Council has responded to, the Government amended planning legislation on 6th April to introduce a specific definition of a HMO into the Planning Use Classes Order. This means that planning permission is now needed for a change of use from a Class C3 dwelling house to a C4 HMO. The vast majority of privately rented student houseshares fall within Class C4 therefore the Council can now control further encroachment of student houseshares into housing