Policy HOU12 – Large scale purpose built managed student accommodation (PBMSA)

Planning permission will be granted for large scale purpose built managed student accommodation (PBMSA) where all of the following criteria are met: a. The proposal is easily accessible to higher education Institution campuses by sustainable transport modes and is not within an established residential area (see appendix B); b. The development consists of a minimum of 200 occupants. This will not preclude proposals for smaller incremental extensions or consolidations of existing halls of residence and phased development of larger schemes; c. The development provides a quality residential environment for students in accordance with the space standards for HMOs set out in appendix C; d. The development has appropriate management in place to create a positive and safe living environment for students whilst minimising any potential negative impacts from occupants; and e. The development meets an identified need for the type of accommodation proposed, demonstrated through submission of a statement of student housing need. Planning permission will be subject to meeting all other policy requirements. S76 planning agreements are likely to be required in relation to PBMSA to provide a greater level of certainty in relation to management arrangements.