Concerns there will be conflict between students and residents have been sparked by the University of Kent's decision to pull the plug on a popular neighbourhood project.

The Student Community Champions scheme was started three years ago to help undergraduates living in St Michael’s and Hales Place in Canterbury.

It has seen the university employ students to attend local meetings, take part in litter picks, help their cohorts manage their bins and support people living in the areas.

Alex Bull, the chairman of the Headcorn Drive Area Residents’ Association, believes the scheme has helped to ease tensions.

She said: “There has been a shift in attitude as residents have started to realise that all students aren’t problematic.

“As a result of the Student Community Champions’ interventions, there were far fewer bins left on the street.

“We also have had fewer parties and disturbances this year.

"I think this is because they go round distributing booklets and explaining noise late at night is forbidden.

“There is some fear the friction will come back when they go.”

"The new student roles will have increased responsibility both within on-campus residences and in their work with local residents, ensuring students are well-prepared before they move off-campus to live in the community" - University of Kent

In its place, the university will introduce a new initiative that it says will broaden the scheme’s coverage across the city.

However, Ms Bull sees little point in this, arguing it should be concentrated on the areas that contain large numbers of students.

“The job description gives a huge range of activities they are expected to be responsible for, but what I find bizarre about this is their role within the community is now deemed city-wide,” the 67-year-old said.

“In Kemsing Gardens there are 77 houses and, as far as I’m aware, only about 15 of them are occupied by non-students.

“They may have felt isolated and it was great the Student Community Champions were there for them to be contacted.

“What is the point in liaising with the parts of Canterbury that don’t have many students?”

Ms Bull has launched a petition calling for the Student Community Champions to be retained, which has received 352 signatures thus far.

A spokesman for the university agreed the scheme has proved popular, saying the university was "building on its success" by creating the Student College Community Life initiative.

The new student roles will have "increased responsibility" on campuses and in work with local residents.

This should ensure "a consistent service is offered to both residents and students across Canterbury, leading to improved communication".

“The new student roles will have increased responsibility both within on-campus residences and in their work with local residents, ensuring students are well-prepared before they move off-campus to live in the community, and maintaining a point of contact for the university’s neighbours," they added.

"It should also ensure a consistent service is offered to both residents and students across Canterbury, leading to improved communication and greater opportunities for collaboration on local fundraising and community events."

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