STEWART PATERSON and MARTIN WILLIAMS

A group of residents has called for a halt to further multiple student lets being permitted amid claims that quiet residential areas are being shattered by loud parties.

According to campaigners in North Kelvinside in the west end of Glasgow, rules which cap numbers of multiple occupancy flats are being flouted, damaging quality of life for families.

Glasgow, like many of Scotland's major towns and cities, has been trying to curb the spread of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) without creating an accommodation crisis. Glasgow's City Plan states there should be no more than 10% house in multiple occupancy flats in a defined zone around the Glasgow University area, with a 5% limit outside that area.

North Kelvinside falls inside the latter zone and residents are calling for a halt to any more, claiming there is already 11% and there are applications for a further five.

In January, Glasgow City Council introduced tougher standards affecting the minimum dimensions of bedrooms and kitchens, and guaranteed access to electrical sockets.

It meant Glasgow's safety rules for obtaining a licence for properties housing between three and 10 people were some of the most stringent in the UK.

North Kelvinside residents claim many of the HMO flats are home to groups of students who host parties and play loud music, and leave litter in shared areas.

Campaigners from Wilton Street and Lothian Gardens are calling on the 5% limit to be adhered to and any further applications refused. They have been told there are 54 households in their defined area, six of which are HMO licensed - 11% of the total.

Campbell MacLachlan, the group chairman, said: "The initial complaints to the council were about noise from one particular flat, but the numbers of those with concerns grew. We are looking for not just a cap, but for some to be revoked. It is unfair this can be imposed on people's lives."

Hillhead councillor, Niall Walker, has been concerned about the situation. He said: "I've had complaints that as many as two-thirds of flats in a close are HMO. Residents say HMO owners care less about the area as they don't live there and in many cases too many tenants in one property can be causing a nuisance."

Other local authorities with towns and cities which are home to large student populations have begun trying to limit the growth of HMO properties.

Edinburgh has increased its "sensitive areas" from 25 to 63, where a limit of 30% is imposed. Fife Council imposed a moratorium in St Andrews after complaints by local people, but later lifted it.

No-one at Glasgow City Council was available to comment yesterday.