The Redland and Cotham areas being so close to the University of Bristol, naturally has a large number of student residents. This brings certain issues to the fore - from points of planning to community relations.

After great efforts put in by the National Houses of Multiple Occupancies (HMO) Lobby and many others, the Government Consultation on HMOs resulted in a change in the planning system in April, requiring planning permission for conversion of buildings into new HMOs.

But before we could celebrate properly, there was a General Election and a change of Government!

The system is now undergoing a further consultation, which may result in Councils having to opt in, possibly via Article 4 Directions, which would discourage action and reduce the effect of

any new law.

Bristol’s Council Planners agree that this is unsatisfactory. RCAS is supporting the National HMO Lobby and National Organisation of Residents’ Associations (NORA) to persuade the Government not to make this change.

Locally, the University of Bristol’s handbook for students living in the community is thorough and helpful. All students have one and so cannot pretend not to know the guidelines.

The University also has a Bristol Neighbours website www.bristolneighbours.com which includes a section on ‘How to be a really good neighbour’.

The University and Council are also coordinating responses to noise complaints involving students, and the Council hopes to implement on the spot fines for some noise incidents in the autumn.

Once again the University has funded extra collections of student rubbish. We are grateful to the University for recognising that there are problems and for taking action.

Communication is a very important factor in good relations, and if you let students know what is

or is not acceptable behaviour it can often prevent problems from growing.

The RCAS student welcome letter is a useful starting point or you may like to write one of your own.

At the same time, please continue to send complaints of noise, rubbish or other student anti-social behaviour to the Universities, the Council and to me.