A photograph posted on a St Andrews social media page has ignited a discussion on accommodation problems in the town.
The picture on theOverheard in St Andrews Facebook page appears to show a lengthy queue of students lining Bell Street in order to view a flat which had recently becomeavailable.
One commenter said: “Best illustration of one of St Andrews most pressing issues. Hope the university will attempt to resolve this issue soon!”
Another said: “The university needs, and should be required to provide accommodation for their ever-increasing number of students. End of.”
As well as airing their views on accommodation issues, contributors clashed over their views on student life in the town.
In 2013 a report by the St Andrews University Centre for Housing Research revealed that the numberof students and staff at the university increased by 37% and 63% respectively between 2002 and 2012.
This, the study claimed, was the reason for lower-income, local households being pushed further away from the town.
The report revealed that two-thirds of students live in groups of three or more and that these groups have a rent-paying capacity of £1,200 to £1,600 per month, setting the market at a price unfeasible for many non-students.