A series of ‘end of year assessments’ on progress with HMOs in the neighbourhood of University of Ulster Magee campus (UU Magee) are now available. Summaries follow.
• Residents, as members of CRAM (Concerned Residents Around Magee) and individually, received a positive assessment for their diligence in responding to the glut of HMOs. Without their hard work, the drift to Holyland 2 in Derry would have accelerated even more in 2025. Further diligence is required in 2026 to avoid a relapse. ‘Keep up the good work’ is advised.
• Councillors and MLAS, notably those who were active on the Planning Committee and elsewhere, made a late surge in December that improved their assessment. This follows the successful delivery of the new Local Development Plan. Formal adoption of the 10% cap in the UU Magee neighbourhood must be an early target for 2026 in order to deliver on this late promise.
• Council officials and Planners are praised for effort, while remaining vulnerable to ruses such as CLEUD (Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development) and the regulations of PAC (Planning Appeals Commission). Two public meetings by planning officers were useful. Planners insistence on balance is welcomed, though balance remains some way off. All parties are not operating on a level playing field. Assisting councillors with their commitment to a 10% cap will strengthen future assessments.
• University of Ulster (UU) is marked ‘must do better’. Their current laissez-fair approach to accommodating students negates their duty of care to them and to their neighbours. Reliance on the Task Force’s Report re: the private sector left UU short, though recent moves at the Desmond’s Strand Road site gives its assessment a late boost. Securing money for a Sports’ facility and teaching facilities highlights the neglect of living accommodation. UU’s neglect of the parking congestion caused by staff and students remains a problem. ‘Must do better’ is the overall assessement.
• A number of developers, landlords and their agents failed, not helped by absenteeism and the blatant disregard of local needs by advertising the use of CLEUD (a form of ‘get out of jail free’ card). Planning Purpose Built Student Accommodations (PBSA) without considering car-parking further exacerbates congestion. They need a total re-orientation in the direction of balance, as noted by Planners above, to achieve a better assessment. A re-sit may be on the cards.
• Department for Infrastructure (DfI) responded to MLAs and residents’ concerns, but the congestion caused by University expansion led to a lower assessment. Traffic wardens are welcome, though their presence is intermittent, leading to a sense of ‘an accident waiting to happen’. Pressure on services such as fire and rescue, ambulance, buses and refuse collection leaves the end of year assessment for DfI as ‘less than satisfactory’.
A mixed bag in general, with hope for optimism resting with Councillors commitment to a 10% cap on HMOs in the UU Magee neighbourhood, coupled with a focus on balance by Planners and some recent evidence that Purpose Built Student Accommodation may be on the horizon.
© Dave Duggan 2025
The Neighbourly Assessor is Dave Duggan, a writer who lives around the corner from UU Magee.
