Durham neighbours speak out in planning row

May 29 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

PARTS of a historic city centre are being turned into a “university campus,” residents claimed at a planning inquiry.

People living in Whinney Hill, Durham, complained of “weeds, dirty windows, unkempt curtains and general seediness” in former family homes now occupied by students from the city’s university.

They were giving evidence at a planning inquiry after landlord Nick Swift built an extension to a house without planning permission at 33 Whinney Hill.

Should planning inspector John Braithwaite agree with council planners that the extension should not have been built, Mr Swift may be forced to demolish it.

Although the council’s argument was that the brickwork did not blend in with surrounding houses in what is a conservation area, neighbours were more concerned about the effect of six students in the house on their community.

Coun David Freeman said: “Neighbours complain about noise and disturbance from students. They say the impact of so many properties in Whinney Hill being rented out to students is devaluing their own properties and ruining their neighbourhood.”