New Student Apartments in Durham approved
Plans for a cinema, restaurants and student flats in the centre of Durham have been approved.
Durham County Council’s planning committee gave the £30m redevelopment of the Gates Shopping Centre the go-ahead. Objectors including Durham University opposed the plan saying enough student accommodation existed in the city.
Applicants Clearbell Capital said the project would improve the city’s nightlife and create jobs. The company said 23 shops would be refurbished, 35,000sq ft (3,200sq m) of restaurant space created and a new riverside walkway installed. Work is due to start in 2016, with the new centre expected to open in two stages in 2018 …