I've spent a fair amount of time thinking about issues University-related this week. On Monday evening, Kirsten, Warren and I attended the University's bi-annual neighbourhood forum meeting.
In the past I have been quite critical of the University's attempts to engage the local community , and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised to hear more positive noises from University officers about ways in which relations between the University and its neighbours could be improved. Even as local councillors for the area we find it very difficult to find out what the University's plans are - we would like much more regular dialogue so that information flow can be improved on both sides.
I personally think a lot could be achieved if the University, local residents and Reading Borough Council worked more closely together on tackling issues such as student housing, parking and anti-social behaviour.
In the spirit of partnership-working,I have invited the input of both Reading University and Reading University Students Union into our forthcoming scrutiny review into the challenges and opportunities of the private rented housing sector in Reading.
Earlier in the week, I submitted my comments to planning officers about the proposed redevelopment by Reading University of Whiteknights Hall. This follows the recent public consultation on the subject.
Recent efforts at redeveloping some of its student accomodation by Reading University have been unsuccessful, in the case of Mansfield Hall.
The plans themselves which involve demolishing the exisitng hall and replacing it with a larger, more sustainable building look pretty much OK, but I have expressed serious concerns about the impact a larger Hall (with more students) could have on parking in the area. Already residents living on Elmhurst Road, Upper Redlands Road and New Road and beyond suffer from unacceptable levels of overspill parking by visitors to the campus (and indeed the Hospital). This is impacting on road safety for pedestrians and the quality of life of local residents.
In Paragraph 4.2.6 of the Design and Access Statement accompanying the planning application the University says that ‘the University allocates parking spaces on the basis of need…First year undergraduates would only receive a permit in exceptional cases. Not all the spaces are, therefore, always allocated. It is proposed to retain a strict approach to allocating parking spaces.’
It would appear therefore that the University’s own policies are forcing students to park their cars off campus in local roads, compounding existing congestion, rather than sending out a strong message to students not to bring cars to campus or to the town in general.
This is despite the fact Whiteknights Hall site is highly accessible by public transport, as the University of Reading openly acknowledges in Paragraph 4.4.1 of its own Design and Access statement.
As part of my formal objection to the scheme I have called for the following:
I. Significant Section 106 contributions as part of this redevelopment should be directed into improving the local highway and transport infrastructure. Given that the pressure that is felt most acutely by local residents is on available parking in local roads including Upper Redlands Road, Elmhurst Road, New Road contributions should go towards measures such as funding a University area car-club, car-sharing and promoting cycling.
II. Transport contributions by the application as part of this development should also include funding low-cost, highly sustainable alternatives to the private car including initiatives such as: making cycles available for hire to students and staff of the University and funding the creation of more safe cycle routes linking more parts the town to the University.
III. Consent for this development being conditional on officers of the University of Reading being instructed to draw up a strategy and action-plan working with the local authority to look at ways of reducing the problem of overspill parking in local roads by students, staff and visitors to its campuses. This should include disincentives for car use by staff, visitors and students of the University and incentives for ‘greener’ modes of travel.
IV. Following the successful expansion of bus routes linking the Whiteknights Campus to the town centre, the University of Reading should investigate providing financial assistance to Reading Buses to enable this company to provide discounted bus fares for students to enable more students to access bus services, and to reduce the reliance of students on private cars.
It appears that a number of students at Reading University have concerns about the redevelopment of the University's student accomodation. A dedicated Facebook Group has been set up. You can read RUSU's comments as part of the consultation here.
You can view the plans yourself by visiting the PublicAccess For Planning website at http://www.planning.reading.gov.uk. The application reference is: 08/01341/FUL
This planning application goes before the Planning Applications Committee for approval on 3 December, so watch this space. A planning application for the redevelopment of Childs Hall has since been submitted by Reading University...so it goes on.