Yurt kidding me! Falmouth students find novel housing solution

Three University College Falmouth students have found an unusual solution to the town's student housing problem. 

Verity Jones, Isobel Ellis-Cockcroft and Shawn Brown have decided that, instead of living on the Tremough campus or renting a place in Penryn or Falmouth, a Mongolian tent, known as a yurt, is the answer. 

"As current students we do not want to add to the already large pressure on accommodation in the local area," they said.

"So we intend to use the yurts as an alternative form of accommodation for the remaining duration of our degrees."

Yurts have been used by Mongolian nomads for centuries as are made of wooden latticing covered by felt. Considered by many to be more 'home-like' than a tent, they tend to have thicker walls and can be easily dismantled and moved.  

The students are studying Renewable Energy and Conservation Biology degrees with the University of Exeter at the Tremough campus and say that living in sustainable yurts will lower their carbon footprint. 

"We want to live sustainably and want to work with people who will be our neighbours.

"I think some people are worried this will be a hippy commune but it is not like that," Verity told West Briton reporters. 

Currently, there's only one yurt in place on the site in Mabe, but there are plans for two more as well as shower and toilet facilities. The scheme has yet to go before the planners but isn't the first yurt site in the county. Late last year a scheme near Wadebridge ran into planning issues but was eventually granted permission to erect yurts on a farm outside the town. 

While the plans are sure to have their detractors, there is support for the students. One comment on the council's website said: "Cornwall should be promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyles.

"Also, as the university grows, the impact of the students will increase, so any student wishing to reduce their impact should be supported."

What do you think? Is this a realistic solution to Falmouth's student housing issues? Would you be happy to live in a yurt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

(Yurt photo courtesy of 'Adagio' on Wikimedia)