SIR — It is pleasing to read Mr Geddes’ letter last week and know that Winchester University is performing so well academically.

However, he does not address the negative impact that a university can and does have on the existing local communities.

Having secured planning permission for a 400-student residential block, local residents were led to believe by the university that no further student halls would be required.

Almost immediately they enter a partnership with Abbotswood Properties to build another four-storey hall for 65-plus students off campus, on our residential street.

When a street like ours of 27 houses has 15 let to students, many HMOs with more than seven occupants, when even the developer suggests that once their block is built nearby houses will no longer be suitable for families, it becomes very difficult to look upon the university as an asset.

It would appear that the university is not willing to address the matter of studentification and the negative impact it has on the exisitng city communities.

What density of students is to be considered acceptable on our street, or as the university has suggested, is it to become part of the campus?

We welcome the university as a neighbour and understand the potential positive benefits it can bring to the whole city, but as with all neighbours, surely we can expect a degree of co-operation that will allow us to live together.

Nic Bryant, Sparkford Close, Winchester.