City of Lincoln Considers Housing Strategy

The City of Lincoln Council has estimated that the need for student housing will be greatly reduced by 2026.

Council leaders have been discussing the authority's latest housing strategy which outlines how it aims to meet housing demand and improve standards in the city over the next five years.

The document also sets out plans to tackle issues such as homelessness and the provision of affordable housing.

Following a consultation, council officers noted concerns over the level of student housing. They had tried to address this through an Article 4 Direction, which requires conversions to houses in multiple occupation to receive planning permission first.

The strategy noted that the "high level of student housing in the city has resulted in high concentrations of HMOs in particular localities."

"The development of purpose built student residential schemes located close to the University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University is essential in order to reduce the concentration of HMOs in city centre locations."

Both universities said that following the completion of the medical school there were "no plans for further expansion" in the next five years and that "pipeline student residential sites will adequately meet demand".

"Accordingly by 2026 the demand by students for HMO accommodation in city centre locations will have greatly reduced, allowing for the reintroduction of family housing and more balanced residential neighbourhoods," said the strategy.

If the housing strategy is approved, it will set out the City of Lincoln's goals around the Western Growth Corridor, the Sincil Bank revitalisation and the promotion of independent living.