I posted an entry yesterday highlighting the fact that the difference in politicians views on HMO's was not necessarily different between parties but people.
I've noticed quite a few Facebook status updates aimed at Peter May's record on HMO's or homes of multiple occupancy to the council - so to you and me a student house - in the last few days.
Naturally in this key marginal of Swansea West Labour supporters want to make the most of their oppositions weak spots.
But I can remember the HMO argument raging back in early 2009 when I covered it for a Waterfront front page.
The headline, a quote from a Swansea councillor read - Students 'would be better in hostels'.
A public gaffe from Counciller May? Nope. It was Labour Party councillor Derek James who called students "the transient population" who should be "housed in hostels".
James said: "In a country that presumably has a housing shortage, it is criminal to lose eminently suitable two and three bedroom family houses to a transient popultion more easily house in hostels."
After what I remember as a very, very lengthy chat to Peter May over the phone in response, which I then had to listen back to again, he said: "Whilst students should have a choice there should be a distribution. A consequence of the uncontrolled growth that's happened is seen in the summer when it's a very quiet area indeed."
"One of the most poignant things you can see is at Christmas time where you can go into streets in Brynmill where you're lucky to see one window decorated with Christmas lights."
"It's got to the point where if we tried to get a mass exodus of students from the Brynmill area you would have the problem of converted properties that no-one wants to buy."
So May's words arn't quite as bad as the Labour man, but then again Derek James is not the Labour candidate in this election and Peter May would have been well aware of the audience he was speeking to through the Waterfront.
Sources I trust have told me May isn't being totally straight here and wants to seperate students from the community.
But I have no agenda here, just thought it was a relevant time to fish this out of the archives.
iv been here in summer occasionally, and it isn't that bad. it is quite nice to be able to park! it is not deserted there are still plenty of people around.
ReplyDeleteIt is very quiet compared to term time, but no more quiet than where I live.
ReplyDeleteCommunity groups working with students to improve the community as a whole - great, as we have seen this year. Politicians unilaterally ghettoising students on the other hand is not going to happen on my watch, whatever colour they are.
Only thing to do now, is sit back and see what happens.
so in light of the 'housing shortage', has no councillor from any party bothered to count the number of derelict, abandonded, run-down properties in Brynmill/Uplands before attacking students? there are countless, especially along Bryn Road and Eaton Crescent.
ReplyDeleteHostels will further upset the local residents as areas of intense noise and late night disruption from a handful of rowdy students will haunt the hostels 24/7 - just look at campus.
rental of houses ultimately puts money back into the local economy, as opposed to a mortgage to Halifax/ Lloyds TSB etc where it just lines the fat-cats fur coats.
Student houses should stay in their current setup, we're not all rowdy and antisocial, my house has had a good relationship with resident neighbours in the last two houses i've lived in; its only the grumpy residents who complain!
well if we're going to comment about peter may last year lets look at your person last year http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5431669/MPs-expenses-Geraint-Davies-spent-4000-on-renovation-just-before-general-election.html
ReplyDeleterusdyas, this blog was about balancing the spin not taking a partisan bash at Peter May, because I am neither a Liberal or Labour man.
ReplyDeleteTom, excellent point on the hostels and the effect they would have on the community, I totally agree.