Discontinued student lodging projects due to political uproar involving a Member of Parliament
In a significant turn of events, Sterling Bay has withdrawn their planning application for a new student accommodation development in Durham, following three years of intense negotiations and community opposition. The proposed development, known as Rowan Wood, was to be located in Clay Lane, and faced significant local opposition from residents, including the local MP, Mary Kelly Foy.
The development plan included three blocks, with 11 bedrooms in the first block, 16 in the second, and a substantial 38 bedrooms in block three. However, concerns were raised about the scale of the development, its impact on the local community, and the insufficient benefits to residents.
Mary Kelly Foy, the MP for Durham City, expressed her concerns about 'clear breaches of several local and national policies' with the plans. She also highlighted the issue of access, due to the narrowness of Clay Lane, and the fact that Durham University has already exceeded the number of students it is allowed and is planning to reduce the number of students in Durham over the next few years.
The City of Durham Parish Council also objected to the development, citing inconsistencies in the descriptions of the development as HMOs, apartments, and student accommodation. The Parish councillors raised concerns about the impact of the development on the appearance of the site, as the proposal would result in a substantial change in the intrinsic character and appearance of the site. The development was planned to be a dense, three-storey development on the site.
The reason for the withdrawal of the planning application remains unclear at this stage. It is worth noting that Sterling Bay could still proceed with building on the land without rezoning it or potentially resubmit a revised request after six months. The withdrawal was accepted by the city council with a 5-2 vote.
Prior to the withdrawal, in December 2023, Durham County Council had approved plans to demolish existing buildings at Rowan Wood and build 10 mixed-use homes for students. It remains to be seen if these plans will be revisited in the future.
[1] Source: Durham Times, "Controversial student accommodation development withdrawn in Durham" (link)
Mary Kelly Foy, the MP for Durham City, advocated for solutions in housing that follow national and local policies, prioritizing the interest of the local community. The withdrawal of the Rowan Wood development raises questions about the future of housing politics in Durham, particularly concerning student accommodations.
