Student housing plans withdrawn after MP warning

Three housing blocks would have been built in Clay Lane, Durham

Plans for student accommodation have been withdrawn after an MP said they breached policy.

Durham County Council approved plans to build three housing blocks in Clay Lane, Durham.

But Durham Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy highlighted concerns over access and breaches of local and national planning policy.

Developer Charles Blair said the accommodation would tackle a shortfall in student housing supply and has been contacted for comment.

The contentious plans would have seen existing buildings demolished at Rowanwood on Clay Lane and 10 mixed-use homes built across three blocks.

Mr Blair said an increase in students attending Durham University demonstrated the need for additional accommodation and the development would benefit the area economically.

'No accommodation shortfall'

Dozens of residents, including Ms Foy, wrote to the local authority to object to the plans.

The MP warned there were “clear breaches of several local and national policies” in the plans as well as access issues due to the narrowness of Clay Lane.

The university was also planning to reduce the number of students in the city, she said.

"The applicant has not expanded on this 'evident' shortfall of student housing in Durham, perhaps because this is not the case," she added.

The City of Durham Parish Council also objected to the proposal, saying the application was ambiguous.

Parish councillors said building work could have an environmental impact and the redevelopment of the site would bring about a "substantial change" in the character and appearance of the area.

The reasons behind the withdrawal of the plans have not yet been made public, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.