The objections were supported by St Andrews Central councillor Bill Sangster, who said that “the brake had to be put on” and that already over 50% of residential property was in multiple occupancy.

Complaints about untidy gardens, lack of building maintenance by absentee landlords, noise, vomit in doorways and pavements, and careless parking were all highlighted during the discussion.

The application concerned a former manse in Queens Gardens, where applicant Rhoda Wilson was seeking a licence for two flats that could house up to 10 people.

She had applied for the multi-occupancy licence as part of the conversion process, and they still have to obtain planning consent.

Nearby resident Julia Poole said the street was becoming “a student ghetto”.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, however, solicitor Richard McFarlane said the licence should be granted.

He said the applicant was concerned about the objections received, which related to students and their lifestyles.

Mr McFarlane said the premises concerned were not yet up and running, but that other accommodation provided by the applicant in Greyfriars Garden, and let out to holidaymakers outwith term time, had been developed to tourist board four-star status.

He said that any students living in the property would have to be “vetted and grilled” and would have to enter into a lease.

“Just because people are tenants, it does not mean that they will be bad tenants” he said.

Mr McFarlane said there were no objections from the Chief Constable and no grounds for refusal. The committee, he said, should not stray into emotive areas.

Councillor Sangster, whose motion for refusal had been supported by fellow St Andrews member Frances Melville, said that 50-55% of the central area was now in multiple occupancy, and that regulations must come in to stop the situation getting out of hand.

At the end of the meeting councillors decided to seek advice about how policy aimed at seeking a balance between residential and letting property can be achieved.