Herefordshire council is to spend hundreds of thousands on "student accommodation feasibility" in the city.

In a record of operational decisions published by the council, it was revealed that a decision had been made to award a pre-development agreement to a firm, and approve the overall expenditure of up to £253,679.00 for the student accommodation feasibility.

The study would help understand the viability of student accommodation on the Edgar Street Football Stadium site and the College Road Campus Site.

Explaining the decision behind the expenditure, the document said that the feasibility study would help Herefordshire council to understand whether student accommodation is viable in the city.

"Student Accommodation would help meet the visions set out in the County Plan 2020-2024 to encourage continuous investment in our local workforce and a culture of lifelong learning in our community," it added.

The document added that considering any alternative options, by doing nothing the council would risk not meeting visions that had been set out in the County Plan, and risk not encouraging "continuous investment in our local workforce and a culture of lifelong learning in our community."

"The council’s 2023/24 Delivery plan is committed to working with partners to increase workforce skills in the County to meet the needs of the economy.

"Additional student accommodation is critical to helping achieve this vision."

Earlier this year, the council revealed that it was working with partners to "develop proposals for new student accommodation in Hereford to enhance the experience of higher education in the county."

"The council is working with partners to develop options for student accommodation to be built on the College Road campus in Hereford and as part of a redeveloped stand at Edgar Street football stadium," a spokesperson said.