Interesting week here in Portsmouth since the council meeting in my last post. First, it appears the property in Jubilee Terrace I wrote about has been empty for 6 months and needs 25-30K of damp treatment just to make it habitable. So all my annoyance at the unrealistic expectations of local residents appears justified.

Yesterday the local council published its SPD (Strategic Planning Document) in support of the 'maximum 10% homes in multiple occupation' and I have to say, it is well written and researched, though it does have one or two weaknesses - watch this space. The interesting piece of research in the document is the Liverpool Victoria Insurance (unpublished) report that shows student numbers down by 40% in 2020. If this is accurate it spells very bleak times ahead for the letting industry and many large cities. (See http://www.lv.com/media_centre/press_releases/press_release?urltitle=university-ghost-towns)