Egham Residents Debate Royal Holloway University’s Expansion Plan
The village of Egham in Surrey sits in a heated debate. Royal Holloway University now plans to grow from about 12,000 to 15,000 students. Some locals support this change. Others fear problems in their everyday life. They worry over housing, parking, and how the area will feel.
Concerns Over Unsustainable Growth
Councillor Andrea Berardi stands against the change. He serves as an independent for Englefield Green East. He fears that more students could overload local resources. He said, "Royal Holloway’s expansion is not supportable for Englefield Green and Egham." Berardi, whose wife teaches at the university, joins with others who speak out against the plan.
Many locals also worry about Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Steve Pollard, a local who started the website "We Need to Talk about Royal Holloway," sees a shortage in student housing. He points out that family homes are being bought and turned into HMOs. He explained, "Family homes are changed into student homes, and this will shape our community for years."
The View from the University
Some in the community think the plan can help. Hannah Hockin, president of the student union, welcomes open talks with local people. On BBC Radio Surrey, she told listeners that small call-in sessions have been set up to hear local thoughts. She also noted that students do not all attend campus at the same time because of different class schedules.
A university spokesperson said they value a strong link with local people. "We work closely with our community," the speaker said. The university points out that students volunteer about 11,000 hours each year in nearby projects, from litter pick-up to work at charity shops.
The Impact on Local Amenities
The change may put pressure on local services. Parking is one issue that worries many. More students could fill streets quickly. Councillor Berardi explained that staff and students already struggle with parking on campus. This shortage spills over to nearby streets, causing stress to residents and small shops.
Hockin added that problems like antisocial behavior are now rare. "It is not a big problem because it is decreasing," she said.
Community Response and Next Steps
These strong views led to a protest on 8 June. The protest happened on an open day for future students. This public action shows that many locals are uneasy about the change. The community needs calm talks with the university soon.
Royal Holloway University’s move to take on more students shows a trend in higher education. Still, local doubts about smooth change run deep. The debate may lead to new ideas for planning and housing rules.
Conclusion
The debate over Royal Holloway’s expansion continues. Both sides share points that matter. Big changes for Egham promise a new look for the area. Ongoing talks will help balance the needs of local residents with those of the university.
For more information on the expansion and to stay informed about community responses, check the following links:
This article targets property investors and those thinking about investments in areas with HMOs. It explains how shifts in local life and education may affect future property investments.
Disclaimer: This article has been generated by AI based on the latest news from Google News sources. While we strive for accuracy, we recommend verifying key details from official reports.
