Councillor renews his call for Edge Hill to expand in Skelmersdale

As students return to Edge Hill for the new academic year, a councillor whose ward includes the University, has once again called on the University leadership to look to expansion in Skelmersdale.

Cllr Adrian Owens first made this appeal to the University last year, but is urging the University to reflect again on this suggestion. Cllr Owens said “Student numbers are projected to grow by 20% at Edge Hill in the next 5 years. I’m not sure that Ormskirk can take that number of students. We are seeing an increasing number of contentious planning applications for student flats. Nationally more than 25% of students own cars and Edge Hill’s own figures say 67% of students travel to the university by car. Ormskirk’s residential streets can’t cope.

In addition, Ormskirk is already one of the most expensive towns to buy a house in the north-west and an expansion of student numbers is likely to worsen the situation for local first-time buyers. Relationships between “town” and “gown” are already strained and the proportion of students to long-term residents is likely to rise to figures higher than almost all other university towns.”

Cllr Owens asked the University to start a meaningful dialogue with councillors and local residents over their plans. “Personally I’d like to talk with the University and try to persuade them to establish a presence in Skelmersdale, perhaps halls of residence, and so become a University for the whole of West Lancashire. As I said more than 12 months ago it is deeply to be regretted that the College seem to have set their face against any expansion in Skelmersdale. Our district’s largest town has good public transport links to Ormskirk. It also has development land available, but most importantly, the presence of a higher education institute in Skelmersdale would do much to provide an inspiration to school students in the town, help to raise the below-average educational attainment levels, and also provide a better mix to the local Skelmersdale economy.”

Copyright © 2006, Adrian Owens - Revised -- 05/09/06
Promoted and published by Adrian Owens on behalf of Adrian Owens, The Retreat, Cobbs Brow Lane, Newburgh, Lancashire, WN8 7ND

Homepage

About Adrian

News Archive

Beliefs & Priorities

Articles

Have your say

Contact Adrian