Edinburgh council is proposing to limit the number of student flats in popular areas, destroying the student atmosphere in certain parts of town.

Proposals to reduce the number of multiple occupancy flats have been seen as an attempt to purge students from areas that have traditionally been centres of the city's 40,000 strong student population.

Edinburgh City Council wants to place a 30% limit on the number of properties shared by three or more unrelated adults in "sensitive" areas like the popular Marchmont and New Town. This, the council hopes, will lead to a more even distribution of student flats across the city.

The proposals were prompted by the release of a report by the council planning committee, published on October 5. It suggested that large student populations lead to the "erosion of established communities". It also stated that concentrations of students resulted in "public services closing as families move away to be replaced by a young transient, predominantly student population".

President of the Edinburgh University Student's Union, Tim Goodwin, attacked the stereotyping of students. Mr Goodwin argued that: "Students these days spend their time either working, studying or taking part in activities that are beneficial to the community."

Philosophy student, Thomas Tannock, saw Edinburgh council's proposal as an attack on the rights of students living in the city. "It's just stupid really. Students should be treated the same as other residents and not discriminated against."

This move comes after students have received condemnation from local authorities across Britain in recent years. Poor hygiene has been a common cause of resentment for both local residents and councils.

Two years ago a parliamentary report was released blaming the poor hygiene of students in Birmingham for a rise in the numbers of foxes and rats in the city. Students in Edinburgh were accused of instigating a plague of mice in Marchmont.

Animosity towards students has not always come in the form of council action. Several violent attacks have been recorded. Adam Brisley, a 22 year-old studying in Manchester, was nearly beaten to death in August. He was attacked outside a takeaway by a gang who were heard complaining about students, he suffered a ruptured spleen.

Times recommends

• 'Quack' degrees will damage our university say academics
• Graduate gains wiped out by student debt says report
• Creative degrees ‘must be treated like science’