Oxford launches crackdown on ‘rogue’ student digs
Home to students for the best part of a millennium, the city of Oxford has acknowledged that there is a downside to having one of the world’s great universities in its midst.
The city of dreaming spires is set to become the first place in Britain to impose sweeping new powers to tackle the problem of “studentification” – the trend for certain urban areas to become dominated by students. The issue has become a major concern for many residents, who have long complained about the rowdiness, litter and noise they associate with large student communities in some parts of the city.
Many other cities are watching Oxford closely for signs of how town and gown can mix more easily. Residents in some areas of Leeds, Bristol and Birmingham have been vocal in complaining about the effect students have had on their neighbourhoods and are keen for their councils to take similar action …