Planning permission has been approved for student housing accommodation in Durham.

The development, at Sheraton Park, Neville's Cross, will result in a £420,000 injection in development funding for the local community.

Specialist student housing developer, Alumno Developments, has been appointed to transform two large, derelict Edwardian buildings on the Sheraton Park Estate into purpose-built student accommodation as well as providing substantial community investment in the neighbouring area.

The funding will be used for a variety of local initiatives including provision of a public art project, new residential footpaths and the creation of substantial new parkland. There are also plans to develop a community room for local residents and a recreational space in the derelict land between the two buildings. Open to all residents, this will transform a dangerous wasteland into a safe, publicly accessible amenity.

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Alumno, a specialist in the design and development of high quality and modern accommodation for students, plans to create and design a 'lyric reference' to renowned Durham singer-songwriter Paddy Mcaloon within the landscaped garden. The Prefab Sprout band member commented: "Neville's cross has special memories and I am flattered to be approached and look forward to seeing further details."

Sensitive to the impact that a development can have on any community, Alumno reacted to feedback from the local planning authority and residents and made significant adjustments their initial plans. These included a robust 'noise management plan' which proposes a proactive student wardens service on site; a reduction in the number of student bed-spaces to 418; additional car parking spaces and the provision of a residents' community room.

Alumno supported its plans with independent research that identified a significant shortfall in purpose-built student housing across the city. The report highlighted that Durham University can only house 7,000 of its 15,000 students, with this population expected to rise to 17,000 by 2020. Without Alumno's development, the city would only be able to provide purpose-built accommodation for around 50% of Durham's student population.

(CD/JP)