Protests as Gordon Brown opens flagship student eco-flats » Housing » 24dash.com

Chancellor Gordon Brown faced angry protests today as he opened a flagship eco-friendly student residence.

The £35 million David Russell Apartments at St Andrews University have been hailed as the most environmentally friendly development of its kind in the country.

But St Andrews students staged a demonstration at the formal opening today, hitting out at the cost of accommodation in the town.

English student Alex Hayes, 20, was among the 30 or so in the Lower Rents Now coalition who jeered Mr Brown as he left the halls today.

The student said: "As Gordon Brown was coming here we thought we could highlight the links between his spending on Trident and the war in Iraq and the money that could be spent on education and housing to give us a cheaper and better education.

"In St Andrews, in university accommodation there's a very short supply of low-rent housing. What there is needs urgent refurbishment.

"The nicer places like this are extremely high in rent and have gone up for the past five years."

He claimed the rent at the flagship development in the next student year will top £4,000, self-catered, for the full academic term.

"That's a lot higher than most universities, so we feel it should be lowered."

He added that rent in the private sector also continued to rise.

Mr Brown was joined inside by Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell, Chancellor of St Andrews, as he formally opened the residence.

The Chancellor described it as a "sentimental journey" for him returning to the university where his father had studied.

"I want to congratulate St Andrews University, first of all for what it's achieved here. This is a hall of residence that will cater for more than 900 students and will be a substantial addition to what's on offer to the student community at St Andrews."

He cited the awards which the development has already received for its environmentally friendly features.

"St Andrews University is leading the way in environmental studies, but not just leading the way - it's practising what it preaches with environmentally sustainable projects."

The university is now one of the biggest businesses in the area, he added, praising its research and development which he said increased from ?23 million to ?28 million in the last year.

"St Andrews University is making a huge contribution to both the global economy and to our national academic achievements."

The Chancellor undertook a tour of the facility today meeting students who live there before officially unveiling a plaque to mark the opening.
This follows a three-year phased redevelopment at the halls, situated outside the town centre.

As well as providing energy efficient accommodation for 920 students, it also serves as a three-star alternative for tourists and golfers outside term time.

University Principal and Vice Chancellor Dr Brian Lang said: "We believe we have created in David Russell Apartments a benchmark for new student accommodation in the UK.

"The development not only outlines the university's commitment to sustainability but is also an investment in our students."

Green features include the rainwater recovery system, a comprehensive recycling programme, high standards of thermal insulation, sophisticated building management controls and underfloor heating.