Purpose-Built Student Accommodation

Norwich City Council is seeking your input on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) concerning student accommodation within the city. Norwich is home to two thriving universities, the University of East Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts, both of which are significant contributors to the local economy and are projected to continue their growth.

To support this growth, it's essential to ensure students have access to diverse housing options, including purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and private rented housing, such as houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Over the past decade, a substantial amount of PBSA has been developed, primarily within the city centre.

Based on current data and projections, the council has determined that the existing and planned student accommodation supply is likely sufficient to meet the city’s needs until 2038. Therefore, the SPD proposes that no further PBSA development is required during this period.

In addition to addressing the overall supply, the SPD provides guidance on the development of high-quality PBSA in appropriate locations, should a future need arise. It also clarifies the calculation of affordable housing contributions related to such developments.

This SPD builds upon Policy 5 of the Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP), which establishes the criteria for assessing planning applications for student accommodation. Specifically, the SPD expands on GNLP Policy 5 by evaluating the necessity for additional student housing until 2038 and offering detailed advice on the design and location of future PBSA, when required.

Have your say

Share your views through the survey below between Wednesday 2 April 2025 until Wednesday 7 May 2025.

For a concise overview, please refer to the one-page summary consultation document.

For a comprehensive review, the full draft SPD is available for download. The supporting evidence base, including the AECOM study, can also be accessed.