Summary: Theme 4: A City with Attractive and Affordable Places to Live 2017

The rampant expansion of student accommodation in recent times into all parts of Our Neighbourhood is by far the greatest source of dissatisfaction of residents of Durham. It not only causes disruption to their lives but also has consumed nearly all larger housing sites that might have been used to create much needed general housing, including affordable housing. The University is planning further growth which will cause more pressure for accommodation. The national policy of creating sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities has been sadly undermined and new policies have to be included in this plan in order to achieve better outcomes in future.

Policy D1: Land for Residential Development

With sites for over 1500 homes recently approved for student accommodation, every remaining site is precious. Land is needed for at least 200 dwellings in the Plan period with dwellings for the growing proportion of the elderly a particular priority. It is only possible to identify seven sites which could provide for 521 dwellings. The largest site by far is the former government offices at Milburngate House of 440 units with small sites at Whinney Hill (former Johnson School) at John Street, the Bernard Gilpin site at The Sands, Main Street U.S.A., Offices at Diamond Terrace, and The Avenue. There are a further four sites where various problems are preventing them from currently becoming available which could provide for 38 units.

Full policy here.

Policy D2: Student Accommodation in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)

The spread of conversions to student accommodation needs to be far more strictly controlled. Under this critical policy, applications to convert to an HMO will not be approved if more than 10% of the total properties within 100 metres are already HMOs or student accommodation, or if the student population exceeds 20% in the same area.

Full policy here.

Policy D3: Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSAs)

All developers will be required to prove that there is a genuine need and that there has been full consultation with the education provider. There will need to be proof that no negative impacts will result from the development. It will have to be in conformity with the standards in Policy D2 above, and be adjacent to existing academic, hospital or research sites and meet stringent design standards.

Full policy here.

Policy D4: Housing for Older People and People with Disabilities

There has been a complete absence of provision for this group in recent years at the same time as their numbers increase. To help with this deficiency, the new policy will require 10% of appropriate housing units, or more, to be provided on sites of 10 or more housing units. Adaptations of houses and flats to enable residents to continue independent living will normally be allowed, subject to being in keeping with the building and surroundings.

Full policy here.

Policy D5: Meeting Other Housing Needs

To change the imbalance arising from the dominance of student and executive housing, this policy requires that on any housing site, 15% of the units must be affordable housing to provide opportunities for young professionals, young couples starting out, families with children, and older people where appropriate.

Full policy here.

Policy D6: Design of New and Renovated Housing to the Highest Standards

To meet Our Neighbourhood’s sustainability criteria and national standards of design, developers will be required to add to the overall quality of the area, respond to the local strong sense of place, local character and history as well as being visually attractive. All housing developments will need to meet at least the national accepted Building for Life criteria.

Full policy here.

Next section: Summary. Theme 5: A City with a Modern and Sustainable Transport Infrastructure