Student flats plans added to growing development

Plans to add student flats to part of a growing city centre development have been submitted.

The application to build 89 flats near South College in Durham have been put forward by Banks Groups.

The proposal is the final piece of the Mount Oswald development, which was first outlined in 2013 and will contain 291 homes, office space, retail sites and buildings for community use.

Banks Group said the new student housing would "meet the needs of Durham University" and reduce demand for homes in multiple occupation (HMO) properties.

The application also includes plans for a convenience store, which initial drawings show could become an Asda Express, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The development site is currently grassland, but will soon be used for an access road and a 74-bed extra care facility.

Directly opposite the proposed development are two large campuses belonging to Durham University: South College and John Snow College.

During term time, about 1,000 students live in the two colleges.

Last year, planning permission was granted for 850 student bed spaces to the west of John Snow College.

Banks Group said the site was suitable for the development because currently there was a "limited range of amenities" available to students and residents in the area.

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