City centre redevelopment plans approved

A hotel and student accommodation are planned at Prince Bishops Shopping Centre

Plans to redevelop a shopping centre to create a hotel and student accommodation have been approved.

Durham City Council backed proposals for Prince Bishops Shopping Centre scheme at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

Part of the retail complex will be demolished to make way for new commercial units and public spaces, while hundreds of student spaces and a 101-room hotel will also be created.

City of Durham parish councillor John Ashby welcomed the redevelopment but warned of disruption.

The main changes to the shopping centre will occur above its multi-storey car park, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

As a result of the work, the centre will be mostly closed to the public for two years.

'Transient population'

There is a hope that the 408 student spaces planned will help alleviate the problem of students living in homes of multiple occupation throughout the city, but some oppose plans for more student accommodation.

One objector claimed the proposal would "transform Durham City into a student campus and only cater for this transient population."

Councillor David Freeman, of Elvet and Gilesgate ward, said: "Many residents I speak to are very unhappy about the proposal, but the retail world has changed and many retailers are not coming back to the city, unfortunately.

"I accept that the shopping centre must change for it to be acceptable and as such an asset to the city."

Citrus Durham Ltd said its redevelopment would "reconfigure the High Street to better suit the needs of national and independent retailers and leisure operators, whilst broadening the mix of uses across the scheme".

Meanwhile, Durham County Council’s planning department said the development benefits outweigh the harms.

In voting to approve the application, councillor Kevin Shaw said it was an "excellent development proposal" that will boost tourism and investment in Durham City.