Policy D2 – 2019 version

Policy D2: Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

The following sites are allocated for Purpose Built Student Accommodation:

PBSA1: Leazes Road	retain trees and site’s leafy character
PBSA2: Howlands -Josephine Butler and Ustinov	respect the strong radial pattern of the existing buildings
PBSA3: James Barber House	retain the existing trees around the periphery of the site
PBSA4: Elvet Hill car park	retain the existing trees
PBSA5: Land adjacent to St Mary’s College	continue the existing built form of the development on the site
PBSA6: Mill Hill Lane and St Aidan’s College	retain the existing tree belt to the east of the site; maintain a central belt of trees through the site; retain the most significant tree groups to the west of the site; and preserve the non-designated heritage asset of St Aidan’s College and its grounds

In order to promote the creation of sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities and maintain an appropriate housing mix, any development proposal for new Purpose Built Student Accommodation, extensions to existing Purpose Built Student Accommodation, or conversions of existing buildings to Purpose Built Student Accommodation other than the above six allocations, will be required to demonstrate:

1. that there is a need for additional student accommodation of this type in this location; and
2. consultation with the relevant education provider pursuant to the identified need; and
3. it would not result in a significant negative impact on retail, employment, leisure, tourism and housing use and existing residential amenity; and
4. it would support the Council’s regeneration objectives; and
5. not more than 10% of the total number of residential units within 100 metres of the application site are already in use as HMOs or student accommodation exempt from council tax charges.

All proposals for the development of Purpose Built Student Accommodation will not be permitted unless:

6. the development is readily accessible to an existing Durham University or Higher or Further Education College academic site, or hospital and research site; and
7. the design and layout of the student accommodation and siting of individual uses within the overall development are appropriate to its location in relation to adjacent neighbouring uses; and
8. the design meets the appropriate criteria for student living accommodation as set out in the Building Regulations; and
9. the internal design, layout and standard of accommodation and facilities is of appropriate standard; and
10. the activities of the occupants of the development will not have an unacceptable impact upon the amenity of surrounding residents in itself or when considered alongside existing and approved student housing provision. Prior to occupation a management plan or draft outline management plan appropriate to the scale of the development shall be provided and approved by Durham County Council; and
11. the quantity of cycle and car parking provided is in line with the Council’s Parking and Accessibility Guidelines and Policies T3 and T4 of this Plan; and
    the applicant has shown that the security of the building and its occupants has been considered along with that of other local residents and legitimate users.

In order to provide affordable accommodation within Purpose Built Student Accommodation developments, 20% of the total units of accommodation shall normally be required to meet the prevailing definition of affordable.

Where appropriate, development proposals in accordance with the above requirements should contribute to the re-use of listed buildings, heritage assets and other buildings with a particular heritage value. Development will be expected to sustain the significance of heritage assets and seek opportunities to better reveal it.

Purpose Built Student Accommodation comprising only self-contained flats, or with blocks/sections of self-contained flats that can be separated from student occupants, should be flexibly designed to enable re-purposing for other types of occupants, such as young couples starting out, or professional people. Such repurposing must include appropriate arrangements for car parking, refuse storage and collection, and management of the flats.

Proposals Map 8: Purpose Built Student Accommodation Sites

Next section: Policy D3: Student Accommodation in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)