WINCHESTER risks becoming a "dormitory town" with low-income families priced out of housing, it has been warned as the university's annual shortage of beds drives up private rents.

More freshers than ever are being pushed onto former council estates by a lack of campus flats, with up to 80 students on waiting lists expected to spend the first few weeks of their university careers in hotels.

Meanwhile, parents have said Winchester University students finding their own homes in Stanmore, Winnall and Highcliffe are being charged spiralling rents.

It has led to a warning over affordability from the city's civic chief, Cllr Stephen Godfrey, who is considering extending a clampdown on Stanmore landlords to other areas.

He said: "We do need to make sure that housing of all types remains affordable for those that need to live here. We don't want to drive people out and become a dormitory town, whether it's for students or people working in London.

"If you have too many students and don't improve your facilities, then word quickly spreads among students that a particular institution has large classes or inadequate facilities, not enough face time with teachers, not enough housing or whatever.”

Parent Andrew Mycock, whose daughter asked not to be named, said she was "completely and utterly distraught" when she was told, a fortnight before fresher's week, that the university couldn't offer her a bed.

He said: "Four groups of students came to view [one] property already, and the landlord was basically playing each one off the other to get the highest price."

Last year the Chronicle reported how more than 100 Winchester students from a record intake were put up miles away in other towns.

No students have been placed outside the city this year, but the university has suggested freshers find their own digs as far away as Southampton and Basingstoke as they scramble to manage a waiting list which is known to have surpassed 300 students.

Meanwhile, estate agents facing unprecedented demand have stepped up their efforts to buy more homes for next year.

Kim Bone, lettings manager at Goadsby, said the firm ran out of stock earlier than ever and students are now "spilling out into Weeke".

Neil Marriott, Winchester University's deputy vice-chancellor, said: "Part of our success in attracting students is the quality and quantity of on campus accommodation and, of course, our excellent performance for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.

"We have met our guarantee to provide university accommodation to all students who held a firm offer of study and applied by the May deadline."