A CAMPAIGNER who led a protest against the ‘studentification’ of a Hampshire neighbourhood has been branded hypocritical after renting her house to students.

Amanda Chard led hundreds of residents in protesting against rowdy parties, overflowing bins and anti-social behaviour on Winchester’s Stanmore estate.

And she spent months warning that “all-out war” would break out if landlords continued to buy up family homes.

Now Ms Chard has moved out of the estate and leased her three-bed house in Drayton Street to students.

It has led to allegations of hypocrisy from one of the area’s three city councillors, who felt her campaign scuppered efforts to integrate students into the community.

Cllr Derek Green said that she mobilised a lot of anti-student feeling.

He said: “It’s rather hypocritical, isn’t it? I’m very disappointed with her personally.

"I didn’t think she’d ever do something like that.”

Ms Chard, pictured below, brought “a lot of people along with her” to rally against the loss of family homes to students, he said.

Daily Echo:

Cllr Green added: “Now she’s done exactly the same thing, which is very hypocritical.”

Ms Chard remained tightlipped over her decision to rent her home to students when approached by the Daily Echo.

Last year Stanmore HMO Lobby fought unsuccessfully to bring forward a clampdown on student landlords amid growing tensions.

A petition warning that the growing student population put the community at “breaking point” gathered more than 300 supporters.

“It’s not far off all-out war between long-time residents, who’ve been here for 15 and 20 years, and students,” Ms Chard said last year.

“I keep imagining The Simpsons, when they’re going around with the pitchforks.”

Restrictions known as an article four direction, forcing landlords to apply for planning permission before converting to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), are due to be introduced next year.

Council leader Stephen Godfrey suggested this month that the measure could spread to other areas as Winchester University’s housing shortage leaves more first year students renting privately in areas like Winnall, Highcliffe and Weeke.

Complaints about anti-social behaviour are resurfacing as term starts, but councillors are keen to highlight the positive reaction of most towards students.