Thanet District Council leader Chris Wells has hit out at the announcement yesterday that Canterbury Christ Church University is to close its Broadstairs campus.

In a statement released today, Cllr Wells expressed disappointment over the move, saying that it hits those on lower incomes hardest.

The statement reads: "It was with real sadness, and not a little disappointment that I heard of the decision of the board of Canterbury Christchurch University regarding the future of the Broadstairs Campus.

"I understand their logic, and their limited ability to respond to the swirling changes in their market place, but would still heartily question the social value of their proposals.

"When we make decisions, legislation demands that we should consider the equality impacts of our intended changes, and this decision would seem to be a classic example of impact upon those who can least afford university education.

"This will not affect those who are from middle class backgrounds, whose judgement on their university years is about their social as well as educational experience.

"No, this decision will most strongly impact upon those whose decision to attend university is a marginal one. Whose parents worry about their level of debt. Who as single parents value the role of a local campus and library closer to home. Those who studies remain squeezed between long hours in care homes and supermarkets to make ends meet."

He is due to meet with the university's vice chancellor, Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, at a later date to discuss the matter.

Cllr Wells added: "I do not doubt the university will do all in its power to look after those students, but a consistent imbalance of investment between the central Canterbury campus and the satellite here in Thanet tells its own story about the competition between institutions to maintain their market place in a middle class university town.

"It has simply increased the gap between the richer university towns income, and that of the lesser towns and villages whose residents seeking to improve themselves must do so at greater expense and further from their home."