North East

Sheraton Park

In 2001, the Banks Group agreed the purchase of the Neville’s Cross site with New College, Durham and Durham County Council, in order to provide funding for construction of a new campus at the college’s other site at Framwellgate Moor, Durham.

Planning permission was obtained in 2002 for a comprehensive development including 209 new homes, conversion of the core Edwardian buildings to apartments and offices, together with enhancements to landscaping and footpath links. High quality design was a key issue and particular features included creation of a curved terrace at the entrance and development of buildings that fit with the strong Durham style.

Working closely with the College, designers Halcrow and AJT Environmental, contractors Halls and English Landscapes, the Banks property and construction teams delivered a phased site clearance, remediation, infrastructure and landscape scheme. This enabled the College to decant, in stages, to the new site and house builders Barratt and Bett (now Gladedale) to commence building in 2003.

Particular features of the scheme were:

· Working closely with residents to minimise disruption and overcome concerns.

· Relocation and management of bats, including creation of two new structures mimicking the conditions in parts of the redundant 1960s extensions cleared from around the architecturally valuable core buildings.

· Provision and retention of leisure and sports facilities, including a floodlit all-weather multi-use sports facility at nearby Meadowfield.

· Creation of a permanent management company to ensure the long term quality of the special environment created.

· Assistance to local groups, through the Banks Foundation, including improvement of scouting facilities.

In 2007, agreement was reached with the City Council and with Crosby Lend Lease to enable completion of the prestigious development with the refurbishment and extension of Neville and Sheraton House to provide 114 high quality apartments. This work has now commenced.