Riverside building site receives boost
May 22 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a riverside development have been given a boost by the withdrawal of an objection by the Environment Agency.
Banks Developments and the Esh Group want to build 129 houses and apartments, almost 1,000sq m of commercial space and 151 parking spaces on the site at Elvet Waterside in Durham City.
The Environment Agency had objected over concerns that the development could increase the risk of flooding downstream at Maiden Castle, the Durham University sports complex, but these concerns have been allayed.
Discussions have also taken place between the developers, Natural England and Sport England to again ease concerns over the flood works at Maiden Castle.
English Heritage is now the one remaining public body to have an objection lodged over the scheme, and discussions between it and Banks Esh are continuing to try to address and resolve their concerns.
David Farrington, historic buildings inspector for English Heritage, wrote to planners at Durham City Council urging them to refuse the application, saying the development would have a detrimental effect upon the character and appearance of the conservation area, and upon the character of views towards the Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site, and to the important listed buildings within it.
But John Ruddick, Elvet Waterside project manager at Banks Developments, said yesterday: “Carrying out effective consultations is an essential part of any development, but particularly one such as this in what is an extremely important and unique location.
“We are therefore extremely pleased to have been able to work with these three organisations to find answers to their individual queries about our plans, and will continue to liaise closely with all parties involved on all sides of the planning process.”
More than 7,500 people have signed three petitions in protest at the proposals, which they say will deprive Durham of valuable green space and block out views of the cathedral.
Representatives of the City of Durham Trust and the Elvet Residents Association, as well as Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods, are all outspoken critics of the plans.
Part of the space is currently occupied by the city’s 80-year-old public swimming baths, which will be demolished when a new building is completed.
Locals are not against the Elvet Waterside development on the brownfield site of the old swimming baths and on the site of the Durham University car parks, but they strongly oppose any development on the previously undeveloped greenfield site, on and near the site of a former bowling green.
