Durham delight as Elvet Riverside plans withdrawn

Feb 9 2010 by Neil McKay, The Journal

JUBILANT residents were celebrating yesterday after a developer withdrew controversial plans to build on a city's waterside.

For four years, locals have been fighting plans to build more than 100 houses as well as offices and a restaurant on the banks of the River Wear in Durham.

Yesterday co-developers Banks Development and Esh Group said they are to withdraw their plans for Elvet Waterside “as a result of the tough economic climate”.

Revised proposals will be submitted when economic conditions become more favourable, a spokesman said.

Residents had been campaigning to save a former bowling green from development as part of the scheme, which also involved Durham’s old swimming baths.

Members of the Elvet Residents Association, who describe themselves as “people who love the City of Durham” fought plans to protect Racecourse Park, including the former bowling green, and any of the green space east of the wall bordering the swimming baths car park wall on Elvet Waterside.