Proposed student accommodation scheme in Durham City moves forward

Plans for new student accommodation in the northern part of the Mount Oswald site in Durham City have been given the greenlight.

Durham County Council’s planning committee this week (July 5) approved proposals from The Banks Group, first put forward last year, to develop student accommodation on an eight-acre part of the site not assigned a specific designation.

The plans do not yet relate to a specific design, but Banks said it submitted the application to ensure it can move forward quickly once a detailed scheme is drawn up.

John Ruddick, senior property development manager at Meadowfield-headquartered Banks, said: “Having had a recommendation for approval from Durham County Council’s planning officers for this application, we’re pleased that the members of the Council’s planning committee have been minded to follow it today.

“This planning application was designed to establish the principle of developing student accommodation on a 3.2-hectare plot in the northern part of the Mount Oswald site, with the location of the site, its proximity to other relevant facilities and the existing local infrastructure all making it highly suitable for this type of project.”

He continued: “The committee’s decision will allow us to move quickly as and when any specific scheme is brought forward for this site. Once we have a specific proposal in place, we will as usual carry out a full consultation in advance of any detailed planning application being submitted.”

Speaking further, John said Banks designed the Mount Oswald scheme in support of the County Council’s vision of positioning Durham City as a driver of economic growth in the county.

He added: “As a long-established Durham-based family business, we are excited to be continuing to see our plans being realised to the benefit of both the city and the wider region.”