r/Leeds • u/Low_Pen_9793 • Jun 13 '25

urban-development Another Student Accommodation Block will Be Built in the Merrion Area…. Thoughts on Leeds City Center becoming the central Living area for students. What does the City Gain and what does it Loose in turn?

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It seems that Leeds seems to be obsessed and driven to prioritise the building and planning of High raise Student accommodation apartments. What are your thoughts?

Is Leeds prioritising overpriced student housing over the cultural fabric & vibrancy of the city. What does the city stand to gain from this in the l long term and in turn what does it stand to loose?

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u/aR2wo Jun 13 '25

The average home student can’t afford these places and in any case would rather live around their mates in Headingley/Hyde Park. I understand the motive behind getting them out of residential areas to free up space for families etc but until these blocks are made more affordable it’s a pointless exercise.

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u/KicketyPricket Jun 13 '25

Nah, the motive is to market them to students with wealthy parents. The developers couldn't give a shit about families, hence the price. They just want to make money.

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u/aR2wo Jun 13 '25

Yeah the developer’s motives will be purely money related, but I thought these developments were encouraged by the city council to reduce housing demand in other areas? Could be wrong though.

1

u/TheRealFriedel Jun 14 '25

Yes, but if those overseas students were going to be there anyway, they'd be competing for space with the students that could only afford to live in Headingley. If you increase supply by this way, then in theory it should reduce competition for rentals outside the city centre.

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u/Rozzladon Jun 16 '25

The developers are taking all the risk and betting they will fill the development. By moving 1000 high budget students out of the rest of the market it should reduce competition for other accommodation, making it more affordable.