Decision due on Durham student digs

Plans to refurbish an existing student accommodation block in Durham and build two new developments, comprising a total of 222 beds, look set to be approved.The application for land at East Durham and Houghall Community College has been submitted by Jansons Property and is divided into two elements.The first is the proposed refurbishment of Weardale House to create a total of 24 student studios, comprising eight on the ground floor and 16 on the first floor.Weardale House has most recently been used for teaching space at ground floor, with vacant accommodation at first floor.The second element of the application is to demolish two further buildings on the site.In their place, Jansons has proposed a purpose-built student accommodation building. The property would be H-shaped and comprise three floors of accommodation with a total of 198 beds.A report to Durham County Council said that while some occupancy would come from Houghall College students, the majority is likely to be students from other further education establishments such as Durham University.The university itself has supported the application and believes that the proposal “could meet a student accommodation need within the city which is currently unmet”.The same report said the proposals seek to replace existing accommodation which is now “sub-standard and in no way meets the requirements of modern day students”.