Tough crackdown on new student houses in Worcester (From Worcester News)

Better late than never.
Swathes of affordable housing have been lost due to landlords targeting students, never mind the considerable loss to the Council's coffers.

Worcester has been turned into a University City without the populous ever being consulted.

The City council have been the main conspirator with the University to change the character of the city without considering the permanent inhabitants.

It is too late to change these facts, but the time has come to start considering the way the lives of many citizens have been changed for the worse and to do what is practical to remedy these problems.

At last !
An interest in control of business-venture tenements. And to admit that approx 750 independant student houses in Worcester have slipped through the net already !! Imagine, what if all of these business premises started to pay their way in terms of some council tax, would it generate up to £1 million extra for the council ? Too late to reverse the ghetto process though, but perhaps the £9k uni fees and recession downturn will thin thing out - there certainly seems to be a lot of extra student-let advertising going on, time to clean one's nest out I think LOL

This is ridiculous..."studen
t ghetto" to me a ghetto is a place that is dangerous and surrounded by trouble. I'm a student at the university and Worcester is much nicer city to be in than Crewe where I was previously based. Many students cannot afford to pay for travel to university everyday so the surrounding area is perfect. I know many people living in Comer Road that are not students, they suffer the occasional party not a ghetto. University of Worcester is the fastest growing university in the UK with most students having to live off campus, unless the council wish to have more halls of residence popping up then this idea is absurd!! The university brings a lot of money to Worcester, especially in the retail sector. If you think Worcester is awful trying living up north in Crewe, you'll see a "ghetto" full of crime and drugs.

About b****y time!

Kimberley_7 wrote:
This is ridiculous..."s
tuden
t ghetto" to me a ghetto is a place that is dangerous and surrounded by trouble. I'm a student at the university and Worcester is much nicer city to be in than Crewe where I was previously based. Many students cannot afford to pay for travel to university everyday so the surrounding area is perfect. I know many people living in Comer Road that are not students, they suffer the occasional party not a ghetto. University of Worcester is the fastest growing university in the UK with most students having to live off campus, unless the council wish to have more halls of residence popping up then this idea is absurd!! The university brings a lot of money to Worcester, especially in the retail sector. If you think Worcester is awful trying living up north in Crewe, you'll see a "ghetto" full of crime and drugs.

I am well aware of the benefits that the University brings to Worcester, but it is an inescapable fact that in parts of Worcester, a significant amount of perfectly decent family accommodation has been lost because there is money to be made by landlords from students.

The latest announcement is, in my view a step in the right direction. The next stage should be a serious discussion between the City Council and the University with a view to the provision of extra dedicated student accommodation.

It has nothing to do with the Council, interfering for interfering s sake.

W-B....... wrote:
It has nothing to do with the Council, interfering for interfering s sake.

Yes it does! Too much housing stock has been turned over to student lets in the last few years.

The council need to be careful, they could be in danger of deterring students from coming here..I grew up in Worcester..and have recently returned with my family and must say having a University that puts Worcester almost on the map is a breath of fresh air...I agree Kimberley-7 there is no way you can class these as "ghettos" if anything the students have raised the standards of the area...Dines Green rings a bell (I remember riots there once) also bare in mind students who study in Worcester may after graduating stay permanently buying a family home in Worcester..working here, spending here, lets not get to Conservative about it! The students bring in alot of money to the city and they are the future..I studied in London and traveled Brazil, in Worcester we don't know what Ghettos actually are...

"I studied in London and traveled Brazil, in Worcester we don't know what Ghettos actually are..."

Yes we do, the dictionary definition is: "A ghetto is a part of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure."

The poverty of Brazil is not relevant for this discussion, and the ghetto term is perfectly valid in this context.

We Worcester have all lived with this for decades and are aware of the financial benefits but there is the other side to it, the quality of life for the city inhabitants.

As you say, you are only recently returned and perhaps it would be wiser to wait before you start offering your opinion.

Well said Lew.

Lew Smoralz wrote:
"I studied in London and traveled Brazil, in Worcester we don't know what Ghettos actually are..."

Yes we do, the dictionary definition is: "A ghetto is a part of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure."

The poverty of Brazil is not relevant for this discussion, and the ghetto term is perfectly valid in this context.

We Worcester have all lived with this for decades and are aware of the financial benefits but there is the other side to it, the quality of life for the city inhabitants.

As you say, you are only recently returned and perhaps it would be wiser to wait before you start offering your opinion.

A 'ghetto' isn't what you copied and pasted from wikipedia (be careful doing that).

It commonly refers to a run-down residential area that suffers from higher levels of crime, where many of the occupants are unemployed and there is a lack of investment, amongst other things. So the word is not relevant in this report, as pointed out by Kimberley.

And what's with all this 'We Worcester have all lived....'? You don't come across as very bright, especially when you think people who have been posting here longer than you don't qualify to have an opinion.

pronstar wrote:

Lew Smoralz wrote:
"I studied in London and traveled Brazil, in Worcester we don't know what Ghettos actually are..."

Yes we do, the dictionary definition is: "A ghetto is a part of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure."

The poverty of Brazil is not relevant for this discussion, and the ghetto term is perfectly valid in this context.

We Worcester have all lived with this for decades and are aware of the financial benefits but there is the other side to it, the quality of life for the city inhabitants.

As you say, you are only recently returned and perhaps it would be wiser to wait before you start offering your opinion.

A 'ghetto' isn't what you copied and pasted from wikipedia (be careful doing that).

It commonly refers to a run-down residential area that suffers from higher levels of crime, where many of the occupants are unemployed and there is a lack of investment, amongst other things. So the word is not relevant in this report, as pointed out by Kimberley.

And what's with all this 'We Worcester have all lived....'? You don't come across as very bright, especially when you think people who have been posting here longer than you don't qualify to have an opinion.

pronstar, in your haste to rubbish my post you didn't realise that you were quoting from the Urban Dictionary, which is not a recognised source of anything other than rap, slang and other trendy, "urban" definitions.

The term "ghetto" originated from the name of the Jewish quarter in Venice, established in 1516, in which the Venetian authorities compelled the city's Jews to live. That did not result in additional crime, unemployment or any of the other ills that you attribute to it. It was a social injustice, but that is different from your ideas.

For example, people talk about Foregate Street being a ghetto of estate agents. I don't think that there is any special crime, drugs, unemployment, violence or other social ills in Foregate Street.

However,this discussion is about the quality of life of the citizens of Worcester, and how we must ensure that the demands of the University do not have an adverse effect. That is why the previous policy of almost unrestricted accommodation change is now becoming controlled.

I don't think that anyone would argue that the current state of affairs is perfect and needs correction. But, at the same time we have to ensure that the University is able to grow and prosper, as it is now one of the cities major assets, and we must not kill the goose etc.

Foregate Street - a ghetto of estate agents ... Brilliant! the images that this conjures up in my head are fantastic.

Lew Smoralz wrote:

pronstar wrote:

Lew Smoralz wrote:
"I studied in London and traveled Brazil, in Worcester we don't know what Ghettos actually are..."

Yes we do, the dictionary definition is: "A ghetto is a part of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure."

The poverty of Brazil is not relevant for this discussion, and the ghetto term is perfectly valid in this context.

We Worcester have all lived with this for decades and are aware of the financial benefits but there is the other side to it, the quality of life for the city inhabitants.

As you say, you are only recently returned and perhaps it would be wiser to wait before you start offering your opinion.

A 'ghetto' isn't what you copied and pasted from wikipedia (be careful doing that).

It commonly refers to a run-down residential area that suffers from higher levels of crime, where many of the occupants are unemployed and there is a lack of investment, amongst other things. So the word is not relevant in this report, as pointed out by Kimberley.

And what's with all this 'We Worcester have all lived....'? You don't come across as very bright, especially when you think people who have been posting here longer than you don't qualify to have an opinion.

pronstar, in your haste to rubbish my post you didn't realise that you were quoting from the Urban Dictionary, which is not a recognised source of anything other than rap, slang and other trendy, "urban" definitions.

The term "ghetto" originated from the name of the Jewish quarter in Venice, established in 1516, in which the Venetian authorities compelled the city's Jews to live. That did not result in additional crime, unemployment or any of the other ills that you attribute to it. It was a social injustice, but that is different from your ideas.

For example, people talk about Foregate Street being a ghetto of estate agents. I don't think that there is any special crime, drugs, unemployment, violence or other social ills in Foregate Street.

However,this discussion is about the quality of life of the citizens of Worcester, and how we must ensure that the demands of the University do not have an adverse effect. That is why the previous policy of almost unrestricted accommodation change is now becoming controlled.

I don't think that anyone would argue that the current state of affairs is perfect and needs correction. But, at the same time we have to ensure that the University is able to grow and prosper, as it is now one of the cities major assets, and we must not kill the goose etc.

Thanks Lew. What does pedantic mean?

It would be interesting to know if the money students spend in Worcester equals the amount of Council Tax we are losing on these 750 properties in Worcester. I would say it does.
The other consideration is whether students and families mix in residential areas or whether the presence of partying students causes real problems in these areas creating so-called ghetto areas.

pinkfluff wrote:

Lew Smoralz wrote:

pronstar wrote:

Lew Smoralz wrote:
"I studied in London and traveled Brazil, in Worcester we don't know what Ghettos actually are..."

Yes we do, the dictionary definition is: "A ghetto is a part of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure."

The poverty of Brazil is not relevant for this discussion, and the ghetto term is perfectly valid in this context.

We Worcester have all lived with this for decades and are aware of the financial benefits but there is the other side to it, the quality of life for the city inhabitants.

As you say, you are only recently returned and perhaps it would be wiser to wait before you start offering your opinion.

A 'ghetto' isn't what you copied and pasted from wikipedia (be careful doing that).

It commonly refers to a run-down residential area that suffers from higher levels of crime, where many of the occupants are unemployed and there is a lack of investment, amongst other things. So the word is not relevant in this report, as pointed out by Kimberley.

And what's with all this 'We Worcester have all lived....'? You don't come across as very bright, especially when you think people who have been posting here longer than you don't qualify to have an opinion.

pronstar, in your haste to rubbish my post you didn't realise that you were quoting from the Urban Dictionary, which is not a recognised source of anything other than rap, slang and other trendy, "urban" definitions.

The term "ghetto" originated from the name of the Jewish quarter in Venice, established in 1516, in which the Venetian authorities compelled the city's Jews to live. That did not result in additional crime, unemployment or any of the other ills that you attribute to it. It was a social injustice, but that is different from your ideas.

For example, people talk about Foregate Street being a ghetto of estate agents. I don't think that there is any special crime, drugs, unemployment, violence or other social ills in Foregate Street.

However,this discussion is about the quality of life of the citizens of Worcester, and how we must ensure that the demands of the University do not have an adverse effect. That is why the previous policy of almost unrestricted accommodation change is now becoming controlled.

I don't think that anyone would argue that the current state of affairs is perfect and needs correction. But, at the same time we have to ensure that the University is able to grow and prosper, as it is now one of the cities major assets, and we must not kill the goose etc.

Thanks Lew. What does pedantic mean?

How Many Pedants Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?

1. None. A pedant can find an error in the dark.

2. Change a light bulb into what?

3. The light bulb changes itself continuously, via processes such as vitrification.

4. Three. One to change it, one to complain about a spelling error on the box it came in, and one to check the dictionary (lightbulb or light bulb?)!

Sorry, couldn't miss the opportunity!

Lew Smoralz wrote:

pronstar wrote:

Lew Smoralz wrote:
"I studied in London and traveled Brazil, in Worcester we don't know what Ghettos actually are..."

Yes we do, the dictionary definition is: "A ghetto is a part of a city in which members of a minority group live, especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure."

The poverty of Brazil is not relevant for this discussion, and the ghetto term is perfectly valid in this context.

We Worcester have all lived with this for decades and are aware of the financial benefits but there is the other side to it, the quality of life for the city inhabitants.

As you say, you are only recently returned and perhaps it would be wiser to wait before you start offering your opinion.

A 'ghetto' isn't what you copied and pasted from wikipedia (be careful doing that).

It commonly refers to a run-down residential area that suffers from higher levels of crime, where many of the occupants are unemployed and there is a lack of investment, amongst other things. So the word is not relevant in this report, as pointed out by Kimberley.

And what's with all this 'We Worcester have all lived....'? You don't come across as very bright, especially when you think people who have been posting here longer than you don't qualify to have an opinion.

pronstar, in your haste to rubbish my post you didn't realise that you were quoting from the Urban Dictionary, which is not a recognised source of anything other than rap, slang and other trendy, "urban" definitions.

The term "ghetto" originated from the name of the Jewish quarter in Venice, established in 1516, in which the Venetian authorities compelled the city's Jews to live. That did not result in additional crime, unemployment or any of the other ills that you attribute to it. It was a social injustice, but that is different from your ideas.

For example, people talk about Foregate Street being a ghetto of estate agents. I don't think that there is any special crime, drugs, unemployment, violence or other social ills in Foregate Street.

However,this discussion is about the quality of life of the citizens of Worcester, and how we must ensure that the demands of the University do not have an adverse effect. That is why the previous policy of almost unrestricted accommodation change is now becoming controlled.

I don't think that anyone would argue that the current state of affairs is perfect and needs correction. But, at the same time we have to ensure that the University is able to grow and prosper, as it is now one of the cities major assets, and we must not kill the goose etc.

No those were my own words. It's not hard, you just think for yourself.

So the council is reintroduction the Article 4 Direction which they brought in then immediately threw-out a few years ago, due to the shortage of student accommodation.
Means they weren't too bothered of these 'ghetto's' popping up, as long as demand was met.

My opinion, Its not about the creating 'ghetto's', that's an poor excuse, its more along the lines of "reducing competition for Mr Big".

At least those students are paying for their rent with their own money (be it via loan, part time work, parents etc) and understand the monetary value of the property in which they live. I'd rather see a city of student homes than a city of housing benefit claimants.