Far- eastern pressure: Colleges demand facilities NOW

Goodricke JCRC and Langwith CSA have put forward a petition to the University, urging them to complete their promised facilities by October 2015.

YUSU, Heslington Parish Council and the Heslington Ward have pledged support for the petition, with YUSU speaking in favour of approving planning permission for Constantine College.

The University has failed to commit to a strict timeline regarding the development on Heslington East, after earlier promising to establish a working group with the aim of completing a number of social and catering facilities by next October.

YUSU Welfare & Community Officer, George Offer, commented: “Students who live and study on Heslington East are in serious need of better provision of social and catering facilities. We really want to see, as part of what’s provided, flexible space for YUSU, Student Support Services and colleges to use for the benefit
of students.

“It’s a huge pleasure to be able to work together with the Heslington Parish Council on an issue that affects residents throughout the village and both campuses.”

Heslington Ward Councillor, David Levene has commented: “Everyone agrees that there need to be improvements to the facilities available on Hes East; this is about getting firm commitments about when they will be delivered. This will be of benefit to both the student body and the wider community, so I’m really glad to be working with YUSU on this campaign, and we are confident that we will be able to get groups like Heslington Parish Council on board too.

“Ultimately we recognise how important this is to the local area and are hoping to get enough signatures to trigger a debate at City Council on the issue.”