Leeds is very much a university city, there are six spread out across the area equating to a student population of almost 70,000. Naturally, with so many university students, the accommodation has to be provided for the first years.
Most first-year students will live in halls, either within the city or in popular student areas such as Hyde Park and Headingley. Due to the increasing numbers of students from all over the world coming to Leeds to practice their studies, accommodation has been on the rise.
There have been a number of new accommodation facilities built in Leeds over the years, with more still under construction at this time. There have been a number of residents complaining about the rise in student buildings, with some feeling pushed out of the city.
Read More: The Leeds brothers who have created the 'ultimate' Leeds beer for the city
LeedsLive spoke to both students and residents, including former residents, about their thoughts on the increasing number of student housing facilities popping up across the city.
There was quite an even split, with some believing there still isn't enough, compared to others who fear every street seems to be getting a new block. House of Frasier on Briggate is under plans to become accommodation whilst near Millenium Square, building work is underway for another block.
One former resident, who often visits the city spoke of how when he returns he notices there is more buildings appearing but feels it still isn't enough.
Geoff Ellis said: "I have always found there is plenty of private accommodation but this can be expensive. Student accommodation seems to be lacking in Leeds."
A student at Leeds Beckett named Charlie said he can understand why some residents might feel it's too much but he and his fellow students need a place to live.
He said: "We need housing, we can't all live in the student areas, especially in our first year, I do get that people who live here might not like seeing old buildings knocked down for modern flats but it's a university city, let's face it, we have to have somewhere to live."
Every year a number of international students come to live and study in Leeds. The University of Leeds has a high population of Chinese students, and it's commonplace that they live separately amongst their own communities, often in single-occupancy flats.
Because of this, even more flats are built which some residents find irritating. Peter Sloane, a long-time resident of Headingley said the area has become overrun with cheap and often poor student housing.
He told LeedsLive: "I've always lived in Headingley, it used to be an affluent area but now it's becoming anti-social, I think the accommodation in the city is necessary but when it starts reaching further out we are going to have a problem, not just with current adult residents but also with increased noise complaints."
The two main universities in the city are Leeds Beckett and the Uni of, they both have their own private residential blocks, alongside the other halls provided by private student letting agencies. The University of Leeds has 21 official residencies both in and out of the city centre, Leeds Beckett has six, creating a total of 27 different blocks not counting the private facilities.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous was quite passionate about retaining the historical buildings in the city.
He said: "When I heard House of Frasier was closing, my first thought was it'll be student accommodation, every street corner is going to become homes for students, I say provide better housing in the official student areas that would be more attractive to students."
Read next:
- Tragedy as boy, 15, dies after motorbike crashes into lamppost in Leeds
- Two lads in Leeds pub beer garden go viral after CCTV captures them falling backwards off bench
- Award-winning team to open exciting new Leeds restaurant Dastaan
- Leeds pub slammed as a disgrace for allowing controversial punk band to perform gig
- Leeds woman accused of ordering murder of husband was 'deliberately framed' says judge
