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Dialogue

The Durham Project: unpacked

Stockton Road Elevation

The proposed Gateway development – earmarked for land on the Science Site, alongside Stockton Road – will be home to a new Law School and a focal point for student services such as admissions, counselling, welfare and careers advice to enhance the experience of our students. It is also hoped that the development will create a sense of arrival to the City for residents and visitors.

The main University Library will be extended to create a first-class environment and allow the law library to be transferred from Palace Green. The development will also be home to the administrative offices currently based in Old Shire Hall.
Law School Entrance

The space generated in Palace Green Library will be used to create better facilities for staff, students, visiting scholars and the general public to access the University's important collections of rare books, manuscripts and artefacts, as well as being utilised for other cultural and academic activities. The reconfiguration of the library is linked to the development of a World Heritage Site Visitor Centre at 7 Owengate which is being created by the University in partnership with Durham City Vision.

The Gateway building will house approximately 300 members of staff and will be designed to be energy efficient and eco-friendly to complement the surrounding environment. It will also feature landscaping and a pedestrian promenade and courtyard areas. The mature trees in front of the entrance to the University Library will be retained and additional trees will be planted. The University is working with City planners with the aim of construction work beginning by Spring 2010 for completion by Summer 2012.

A comprehensive refurbishment of the Mountjoy estate will also take place between 2009 and 2010. The new-look Mountjoy will be reconfigured to house the remainder of the University's administrative departments and additional parking provision will also be incorporated in the refurbishment programme.

Other development projects already underway include the roll-out of a new, high-quality catering service across the University's estate and a comprehensive overhaul of University signage. Further pedestrianisation and greening of the Science Site is also planned to tie-in with the Gateway proposals.

Accountability

  • Governance & Development Strategy - Project Board (led by the Vice-Chancellor)
  • Operational Strategy - Project Team (led by Trevor Armour)
  • Communications Support - Communications Office (led by Michael Lavery).

Project summary...

  • Development of a new ‘Gateway' building to provide a ‘one-stop-shop' for student services and serving as the University's HQ.
  • Relocation of professional/support services from Old Shire Hall, Green Lane and other locations to The Durham Project sites at the proposed Gateway building on Stockton Road and to Mountjoy.
  • Creation of a new Law School within the proposed Gateway building.
  • An extension to University library.
  • Looking ahead: Restructuring of the Bailey and re-configuration of Elvet Riverside.