City has hundreds of unused student rooms
LDRSA councillor has questioned why student accommodation developments continue to be approved in a city despite hundreds of rooms sitting unused.
Figures published by Durham University suggest there are 800 student beds currently vacant across the city but multiple projects in the pipeline to bring thousands more to the area.
The analysis led councillor David Freeman to ask Durham County Council whether applications for student accommodation would continue to be approved despite there being "no demand for further beds".
Planning officer Lisa Morina said some developers were targeting the international student market and her department felt this was still a valid reason.
"Each application has to be considered on its own merits," she said, adding the university would soon be producing a new growth plan which would provide a better understanding of student housing needs.
Durham University is home to about 21,500 students, with are more than 4,500 beds in large blocks of flats - known as purpose-built student accommodation - currently in operation in the area.
Thousands more are either under construction or approved through the planning system, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
New developments include Melbury Court and Hopper House, as well as the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, which will include 504 beds.
Other accommodation includes properties converted to provide student housing.
The university predicts demand for student accommodation in the city will rise in the 2026-27 academic year but it expected there to be sufficient housing to meet demand.
However, it warned changes to the private rental market, including the new Renters' Rights Act, could create risks to supply.
But the council heard how the over supply of accommodation could lead to the city becoming home to half-filled buildings.
"We are getting to a point where in the city we can no longer give any evidence that there is any quantitative need for student accommodation," Freeman said.
