Proposed Development Plans
Banks Developments and the Esh Group have been chosen by the council as their preferred developer for the Elvet Waterside Site. They plan to develop a mixed use scheme of residential and commercial. Banks most recent development in Durham City has been the redevelopment of the New College site at Neville’s Cross , Sheraton Park.
Their plans have yet to be finalised but the majority of the Elvet Waterside site will be residential. As this area is classed as a Level 3a flood risk area by the Environment agency, Banks Development propose to mitigate the risk of flooding by raising the ground level of the majority of the site on the riverbank by up to 2 metres.
The proposals for Racecourse Park (former bowling green) and the other green space behind it include a crescent of 3 and 4 storey town houses, on the former bowling lawn, a large block of apartments/ commercial development in the corner where the Public Conveniences are now and another crescent of 4 storey town houses at the back of the site, and a large block of apartments.
4 storey houses raised up to 2 metres above the current ground level will mean buildings along side the river rising up to 12 metres above the current river pathway – the height of approximately 2 double decker buses! – all of which will block the view of the Cathedral and the Castle from the nearby riverbank and from the Pelaw Woods side of the riverbank.
The proposed roads into the development will mean the destruction of the ancient walls bordering these areas, which mark the boundary of the historical race course. Many mature trees which are habitats for birds and bats, will also have to be felled. At present the bowling pavilion is harbouring a bat colony and as such is protected from demolition.
The developers are proposing to allow only .8 of a parking space for each dwelling so the, which as well as being unrealistic also means parking chaos as many residents who own more than one car will be vying for car parking space and parking on pavements, which can be witnessed every night at the Sheraton Park development. The complete development plans can be viewed by following this link to the planning application.
STOP PRESS
Elvet Waterside plans submitted JAN 2008 – The plans submitted include building on the greenfield site that we are campaigning to save.
The plans are for 129 residential dwellings made up of 103 apartments and 26 town houses. 14 of the residential units will be affordable. There will be 998 square metres of commercial space in 3 buildings. We will shortly be adding the visual plans to this site, please keep checking back.
The planning references for the Elvet Waterside Development are as follows:
Please quote all three planning reference numbers in your objections to the council or fill out a form on their website for each of the planning references even if you repeat what you say in each one.
08/00002/LB Alterations to listed walls, part of mixed use development comprising 129 residential units, offices, café restaurant and associated flood defences and measures.
08/00003/FPA Mixed use development of 129 residential units offices, café restaurant and associated flood defences and measures. (This refers to the whole proposed development)
08/00019/CAC Demolition of Public Baths, Toilets, Pavilion, Creche, Outbuildings
and Substation as part of mixed use development comprising 129 residential units, offices, café restaurant and associated flood defences and measures.
For full details of the plans go to the City Council Website following this link http://publicaccess.durhamcity.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/
application_searchform.aspx and type in the reference numbers. The plans can be viewed online and at Durham City Council offices at Byland Lodge, Durham City.
You are able to make your comments about the plans online on the planning application site.
For help with making an objection please follow the link which gives advice on how to write a letter to planners http://www.planning-applications.co.uk/objection.htm
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