Student flats refusal overturned
GoogleA former city centre care home will become student accommodation after a successful appeal.
Unity Living wanted to transform Hallgarth Care Home in Durham into 48 studio bedspaces, but council planners said the facility was not needed and turned down the plans in June.
The developer said the extra bedspaces would ease local housing pressures and appealed the decision.
Now, a planning inspector has approved the proposals, ruling the accommodation would "not harm" the area.
Unity Living said the development would meet the needs of the increasing number of disabled students studying at the university.
The planning inspector also agreed with the developer that the facility would provide additional choice for international students and those who are neurodivergent, or require accessible accommodation.
A decision report added the building had last been used as a care home in 2023 and had been vacant since then.
A public hearing to discuss the appeal was held at Durham Town Hall in March.
A previous proposal to convert the building into 69 apartments was refused in November 2023 and later failed at appeal amid concerns there were more students than permanent residents in Durham City.
The city's parish council had repeatedly objected to the plans for the site near the university, labelling the development "unacceptable" and adding that it would have "no benefit" to the city or its residents.
City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy had also objected, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
