Appendix B – PBSA Policy Review

AreaWordingOther detail in policyNote
m. it can be demonstrated that the accommodation is no longer needed because the needs of students at the institutions that it serves can be better met in existing accommodation elsewhere.
Where the Council is satisfied that a development involving the loss of student housing is justified, we will expect it to create an equivalent amount of floorspace in another permanent housing use, such as self-contained housing (in Use Class C3), including an appropriate amount of affordable housing, having regard to Policy H4.
ReadingNew student accommodation will be provided on or adjacent to existing further or higher education campuses, or as an extension or reconfiguration of existing student accommodation.The justification for policy H12 is set out in section 4.43 (p138-141) of the Local Plan Background Paper (EV002). This looks at the evidence for the need for new accommodation, from both the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and information prepared on behalf of the University of Reading and sets this in the context of the planning pipeline for new student accommodation.Less seek PBS. Cam
Policy H12There will be a presumption against proposals for new student accommodation on other sites unless it can be clearly demonstrated how the proposal meets a need that cannot be met on the above sites.We dis this H12 with
It is considered that this existing need should mainly be met on campus or through reconfiguration and redevelopment of existing halls of residence, subject to considerations of amenity and character.
This Local Plan identifies two sites for student accommodation in locations which do not comply with the above policy. In both cases, there are specific circumstances which justify these allocations. One site has planning permission for student accommodation and the other is a listed prison building of considerable historic sensitivity which may be a challenge to re-purpose and therefore use options are being kept open.