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PBSA: a resilient sector in challenging times

In our new report on purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), we explore the data, influence and policy behind this growing sector across the UK and Ireland.

Despite the challenges created by COVID-19 and the impact of Brexit, the PBSA sector has continued to attract investor interest due to the growing number of international students attending our higher education institutions. 

With the National Planning Policy Framework stipulating that local planning authorities should plan for sufficient student accommodation we are pleased to see an increase in adopted and emerging PBSA planning policy and guidance. In our report, we summarise the need and status of student accommodation across our towns and cities.  

Affordability will be a key issue if the sector is to be able to meet the needs of students from lower income households wishing to attend further education and higher education in the UK. Providers will need to engage with innovative solutions to be able to deliver and create better metrics. 

We’re confident that the PBSA sector will continue to grow in the next decade and become established as a recognised sub-sector of the residential market. However, the importance of a central planning policy which supports the PBSA development will have the biggest impact on the number of successful planning applications. 

Please get in touch with a member of the team if you wish to discuss the report.

8 December 2022