New Durham student accommodation granted approval, hopefully reducing HMOs

A new student accommodation in Durham has been granted approval, hopefully reducing the need for family homes in the city to be converted into houses in multiple occupations (HMOs).

The scheme is the final stage of a develop project in the Mount Oswald area of Durham city.

The development will have hundreds of office spaces, residential homes, community building, and retail sites, including an Asda Express, the BBC reports.

The 93-bed student properties will be built opposite two John Snow and South colleges.

According to the developers, Banks Group, the development will see 290 new homes and 985 new student bedrooms overall. It will also create 0.8 kilometres of cycle paths and over eight acres of public, open space.

During term time, Durham University’s South College and John Snow College have approximately 1,000 students living there.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has said work is set to begin later this year, with Asda likely to open a convenience store as part of the development.

The renovations come after local campaigners called for stricter planning powers to ensure residential homes are not made into HMOs.

Banks Group previously said the student housing would “meet the needs of Durham University”.

However, Jonathon Elmer, Green Party councillor for Durham County Council’s Brandon, reflected on the “astonishing” price of the accommodation, and called for it to be more affordable.

He said: “It’s a shame that the cost of these rooms means this student accommodation is targeted at the wealthier students.”

The councillor further called for “more affordable accommodation somewhere in the city”, but was hopeful the development would “reduce the conversion of family homes to HMOs.”

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David Freeman, Liberal Democrat councillor for Elvet, Gilesgate, and Shincliffe, said: “It will be very welcomed by students but also residents in Mount Oswald and the Merryoaks estates and will benefit residents who don’t have to drive somewhere else to do their shopping.” 

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