The “studentification” of Brighton is to be tackled in a bid to cut down on fly-tipping and noise pollution.
Brighton and Hove City Council wants to reduce the concentration of student houses in areas such as Hanover, Hollingbury and Bevendean, and with it associated problems such as late night parties and littering.
But at the same time, it wants to improve living conditions for students by licensing landlords of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).
New purpose-built student housing will be built at “suitable locations” to provide an alternative to HMOs.
And the council will also put in place policies to encourage empty and vacant former student homes to be converted back to family homes.
Brighton & Hove City Council Leader Councillor Mary Mears, who chairs Brighton & Hove’s Strategic Housing Partnership, said: “This is a landmark strategy that sees everybody involved in the city’s important and growing student population working together to foster balanced communities.
“The universities contribute a great deal to the city and are helping us develop practical solutions for student housing.
“We want to improve the lives of both students and residents by restricting the numbers of houses that contain the highest numbers of students, ensuring student landlords improve homes and importantly limiting problems such as noise nuisance and litter.”
Julie Barker, Head of the University of Brighton’s residential and catering services, said: “The university contributes £330 million to the regional economy but it is not just about finances.
“Students and staff bring enormous vitality and variety to the cultural life blood of the community and it is important their housing needs are recognised.
“It is important also that we work towards a mixed community and avoid areas becoming solely for students or for single age groups.
“We are delighted the council has taken this step and look forward to working with it on this issue further.”
The strategy has been led by the council, and designed with the universities, landlords and estate agents.
As well as the move to empty the HMOs, a community liaison officer will also be hired to foster good relations between the university and residents.
More than 33,000 students now attend the University of Brighton and University of Sussex, and many live in the city’s 15,000 HMOs.
The strategy was drawn up in response to questions raised by councillors about students in the community.
It will be considered by the council’s cabinet on Thursday, November 12.
