Edge Hill - Time to involve the public in your plans

Adrian, whose ward includes Edge Hill University, has called on the University to place its full expansion plans in the public domain and start a dialogue with the local community.

Adrian said “Since news of the massive rise in student numbers appeared in the press last week I have spoken with several residents who understandably want to know more. I’ve also heard that staff at the University were none too pleased that they had not been informed of the expansion plans.”

“It’s time for the University to adopt a less secretive approach. Speaking with senior council officers and Rosie Cooper, our MP to try to smooth a deal is fine, but communication needs to be much wider.”

Adrian said that in the dialogue the University needed to answer a number of questions concerning size, negative impact on local services and green belt development.

“Edge Hill appears to have only one strategy – growth in student numbers. However, it claims that reputation is its number one priority. Why then the focus on quantity at the expense of quality. I want Edge Hill to be among the best Higher Education institutions in the country, but it won’t achieve that with a relentless focus on “bums on seats”. Rather it needs to address the fact that 1 in 7 of its young students drop out – among the top five worst results in the country and a huge waste of talent and taxpayers money.”

“If Edge Hill expands as planned, the total number of students will comfortably exceed the local population. No other town in Britain has such a high student/local population ratio. Is this sustainable? It is vital that this fundamental question is answered now before we progress any further.”

“An expansion in the University provides very little extra funding to local councils. Students pay no council tax, and business rates go to the Government. There will be no extra funds for local councils to improve the road network to cope with the thousands of extra vehicles such expansion will entail. Allowing such expansion of student accommodation when the local housing moratorium hampers local first time buyers would also be a recipe for bitter town and gown resentment.”

Adrian feels that the University needs to demonstrate why its expansion needs to threaten the green belt around campus. “The University has to demonstrate that no other development option is feasible before it makes its case for green belt development. Last year I suggested that the University build halls of residence in Skelmersdale, contributing to a mixed community and the regeneration of the town. The University have yet to explain why this idea is impractical. That’s why they need to start talking to local people, and start talking now.”

Copyright © 2007, Adrian Owens - Revised -- 15/03/07
Promoted and published by Adrian Owens on behalf of Adrian Owens, The Retreat, Cobbs Brow Lane, Newburgh, Lancashire, WN8 7ND

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