IN reply to letters about accommodation for alcoholics in Burnholme Avenue (Letters, November 5 and 11), I can sympathise and understand Mrs D Wright's problems - they are not new.
Care in the community brought these same problems; lack of student accommodation is another.
The authorities are solving their problems on the cheap with no regard to the consequences for people such as Mrs Wright or local communities.
No planning permission is needed, no change of use - just call them a family unit. Six strangers, be it alcoholics or students in a three-bedroom house, eight in a four bedroom house - call them a single household and the owner can make money.
A guest house with more than two rooms to let needs planning permission and change of use.
Students' houses - of which there are plenty in Tang Hall - are easy to spot with their curtains always closed, or dirty net curtains, or bed sheets pinned up at the windows.
Councillors have ignored the problem for years and just call for more affordable houses. Whatever that means.
With 5,000 more students for York, Heslington does right to worry.
The prison-like blocks of apartments in Lawrence Street and James Street will not have students for tenants, they will have to go somewhere else. Burnholme, Tang Hall, Heslington - where next? Not next to the people who came up with this family unit solution.
Reg Pulleyn,
Tang Hall Lane, York.
Updated: 11:08 Thursday, November 20, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article