Who we are

A group of local people who love the City of Durham and who are determined to fight the City Council over their proposals to sell-off and build on Racecourse Park (former bowling green) and any of the green space east of the wall bordering the swimming baths car park wall on Elvet Waterside. We originally came together under the umbrella of the Elvet Resident’s Association. We are not against the Elvet Waterside development on the brownfield site of the old swimming baths and on the site of the University of Durham car parks. However we strongly object to any development on the previously undeveloped greenfield site, east of the swimming bath car park wall, which has always been used for recreation purposes by the citizens of Durham.

Over 7,500 people (which include local residents from within the city and beyond, students, graduates of the University of Durham and visitors to Durham) have signed 3 petitions which were presented to the City Council, the University,  Banks the developers and to the local MP Roberta Blackman-Woods (which she presented to Parliament in July, see STOP PRESS) expressing their total opposition to the development of this green space.

Our research into local planning policy, regional planning policy and advice from Planning consultants have highlighted the fact that the plans to build on the former bowling green and the green triangle of land behind it, contravene many of the planning policies which have been written to safeguard greenfield sites, open space and recreational space such as this.

The greenfield site is:

• Designated Flood Plain 3a by the Environment Agency, that is land at greatest risk of flooding

• Previously undeveloped land

• In a conservation area

• An area of high landscape value

• Well-used Recreational space

• The site of many mature trees

• An important part of the townscape

• A key perspective to the World Heritage Site from the North East

Over 400 objections received to date - Feb 28th !! If you haven’t already done so please write in to the planners there is still time!

Object to the plans

The planning department would like comments  by 7^th February if possible, but please keep sending them even if you miss this deadline. 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/

applicationsearchform.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