A new target to deliver 31,500 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds across London over the next decade will necessitate flexible planning, according to planning and development consultancy Lichfields. This initiative aims to alleviate pressure on the private rented sector.
The draft London plan now assigns specific PBSA delivery targets to individual London boroughs. Jonathan Hoban, an associate director at Lichfields, stated that these borough-level targets provide local authorities with a clearer basis for planning student accommodation.
PBSA contributes to London's housing mix, with every 2.5 student bedrooms counting as one home. The draft policy suggests new schemes should be within approximately 30 minutes' travel of a university campus and have good access to public transport, services, and local amenities.
The plan also places a greater emphasis on affordable housing. Developers could offer affordable student rooms or combine a reduced proportion of affordable student accommodation with a financial contribution towards conventional affordable housing.
Mr Hoban highlighted that student accommodation requirements and development conditions can change quickly, suggesting a broader approach to site allocation would allow proposals to be assessed against current evidence rather than restricting delivery to fixed locations.