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Introduction
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 This Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provides additional advice and guidance specific to Purpose Built Managed Student Accommodation (PBMSA) in Belfast. It complements Policy HOU12 (Large scale purpose built managed student accommodation (PBMSA) which has been adopted in the Local Development Plan (LDP) Plan Strategy (PS). It is intended for use by developers, the public and by planning officers in the assessment of planning applications for PBMSA developments within Belfast.
1.1.2 SPG represents non-statutory planning guidance which supports, clarifies and/or illustrates by example policies included within the current planning policy Framework, including the PS and other development plans.
1.1.3 Where relevant to a particular development proposal, this SPG will be taken into account as a material consideration when determining planning applications.
1.2 What is Purpose Built Managed Student Accommodation (PBMSA)
1.2.1 PBMSA is accommodation that is built, or converted, with the specific intent of being occupied by students undertaking a full-time course of higher or further education – either within individual ensuite units or sharing facilities. The inclusion of the word ‘managed’ highlights the importance of such accommodation being centrally supervised by the developer/landlord to provide welfare support for students and to ensure compliance with any code of conduct or tenancy agreements, etc.
1.2.2 These management arrangements are a significant difference between PBMSA and students living in the more traditional form of student accommodation often referred to as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the private rented sector. However, as a form of housing, PBMSA has many distinct characteristics that distinguish them from smaller-scale housing occupied by unrelated people (HMOs). They raise many different planning issues from other forms of student accommodation, HMOs or general housing that can have significant implications for the orderly and consistent development of the City.
1.2.3 Although ‘residential’ in nature, PBMSA has no formal definition within the planning system and is considered ‘sui generis’ (or unique/of its own class). It is therefore a form of development for which further guidance and clarification is appropriate to ensure the unique nature of the development can be adequately assessed.
1.2.4 The student population in Belfast includes anyone enrolled for more than two weeks on a higher education (HE) course that is primarily based in the UK, unless they are an incoming exchange student, on sabbatical, writing-up or dormant. Data from universities, higher education colleges and other specialist providers of higher education are collectively referred to as Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).1 Higher education campuses in Northern Ireland includes Queen’s University Belfast, The Open University, St Mary’s University College, Stranmillis University College and Ulster University.
1.2.5 In the academic year 2021/22, there were a total of 2,862,620 students in higher education (undergraduate and postgraduate students) for the whole of the UK1. In the context of Northern Ireland (NI), in the same academic year there were a total of 69,565 students in higher education (undergraduate and postgraduate students). Therefore, the NI student population represents 2.43% of the total UK students. The number of higher education students enrolled in Northern Irish campuses, has increased on an annual basis. From the academic year 2017/18 through to 2021/22 there was an increase of 15,105 students, or 27.7%.
1.2.6 The Council recognise that students studying and living within Belfast make a significant contribution to local and regional economies. For Belfast, the continued growth in the number of students wishing to enter third level education in our universities and further education colleges; the re-location of the Ulster University to the north of the City Centre and growth in the international student market all present significant opportunities for the city.
1.2.7 However, the rapid expansion of student numbers over the last three decades also presents a range of challenges, with specific pressures relating to housing a large student population in concentrated areas of the city and associated impacts on existing housing stock, local amenities and the wider urban environment. Taking learning from experiences of areas such as the Holyland, student housing provision needs to be well planned and appropriately managed to ensure that there is positive integration with existing communities and minimise any potential negative side effects or ‘externalities’ associated with an increasing student population.
Footnotes
1 https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/whos-in-he#numbers (link opens in new window)
