North East

Elvet Waterside

Banks Developments and Esh Group have been jointly chosen by the City Council and Durham University to develop land they own at Elvet. The development will consist of both residential and commercial uses. The site comprises the Swimming Baths, which have relocated to Freeman’s Place, the adjoining surface car parks and a redundant bowling green.

The development consists of a range of buildings along a new east west street leading from Territorial Lane towards the Racecourse playing fields. There are three commercial units one of which will be a restaurant/café with an external seating area in a landscaped courtyard, with views from the building over the river. There are 102 apartments and 26 townhouses and 14 of the units will be affordable homes provided through a Registered Social Landlord.

In total, four new areas of public open space would be included in the development, with two inter-connecting courtyards linked to a third area which will accommodate four existing mature lime trees, next to the eastern vennel.

The fourth area will be a new landscaped space overlooking the river and next to the Racecourse playing fields. The existing children’s play park next to the St Cuthbert’s Boathouse would be relocated to the eastern side of the building, next to the riverside footpath, providing a new, upgraded facility.

On site parking for 156 cars will be provided, 99 of these will be underground with the remainder either on street or within parking courts to the rear of buildings.

Extensive discussions have taken place with English Heritage, The Environment Agency and Durham City Council over the past six months to ensure that the design of the development meets all the requirements of national and local planning policy and takes into account the requirements of the setting within the conservation area and the flood plain. As part of the development the site will be raised above the flood level and as a consequence the height of the buildings has been reduced to safeguard views towards Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.