Durham locals fear losing their city to ‘studentification’
Crossgate in Durham is used to invasions. In 1346 the Scots army poured across the border hoping to catch the English napping as they prepared to battle the old foe France, while in industrial times a towering viaduct was driven through the area, bringing with it the thundering trains of the east coast mainline.
The most recent incursion has been scholastic in nature, but equally unsettling for those who still live in this historic city centre suburb.
It is estimated there are just 400 non-student households left in a community that was until recently home to 2,000 permanent residents …