THE University of York has revealed it will strongly oppose plans to restrict the growth of student lets in private houses across the city.

Pro-vice chancellor Elizabeth Heaps says the proposals would not be in the interests of its students and could hinder its efforts to recruit students from all over the UK and the world.

She said she believed City of York Council already had enough powers to tackle any isolated problems.

This came about when the council began a 12-month public consultation on proposals for a city-wide “article 4 direction,” which would require landlords to apply for planning permission if they wanted to convert a property into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) for between three and five people.

Residents in communities near the university such as Osbaldwick and Badgerhill have been lobbying for the move, following growing concerns about the soaring number of ordinary family homes being turned into HMOs for students from the university.

Osbaldwick’s Independent councillor and parish council chairman, Mark Warters, said he was appalled by the university’s stance. He said: “It appears to show the university has a complete indifference to the welfare of the communities surrounding the campus.”

Harry Telfer, chairman of the Badger Hill Residents Community Group, said he could not understand the university's opposition, as article 4 would not prevent student accommodation being created.

Instead, it would bring it into the planning process and enrich the student experience by ensuring accommodation was to a higher standard.

But Ms Heaps said in a letter to Mr Warters that many students preferred to live in – and be part of – the local community for part of their time.

She said the university was a major employer and its continued success depended on its abilities to recruit students.

“We believe that City of York Council already has sufficient powers under the 2004 Housing Act to tackle any isolated problems caused by the very small minority of irresponsible landlords, tenants and/or mismanaged properties.”

She said she understood the new Labour administration at the council would be reviewing various policies and she expected this to include article 4.

“We will be making a constructive input into these discussions, stressing the importance of the university’s success to the well-being of the city’s economy.”