News

University opens doors for Gateway consultation

(23 April 2009)

Durham City residents and members of its University will be given open access to the latest designs for the University’s proposed new £48m ‘Gateway’ development on Stockton Road at a public consultation event next week.

A 3-D fly-through movie of the development proposals, a model showing the proposed development in context with the surrounding area and an exhibition of the various stages of concept images and plans will be on show to give all interested parties an opportunity to see how the project vision is evolving ahead of the submission of a planning application in the summer. The open event will be spread across two days and hosted by a representative team of University staff and project experts on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 April in the Sir James Knott Hall at the University’s Trevelyan College on Elvet Hill Road, close to the University’s Botanic Garden and Oriental Museum. The event will also give visitors a taste of the variety of projects the University is undertaking in Durham City and the wider community. These projects include education, environment, sport and charity outreach programmes which aim to build partnerships with the local community and enhance the quality of life in the environment in which many of the University’s staff and students live as well as work. Director of Communications, Michael Lavery said: “This proposed development represents a significant potential investment in the city and its economy so these open days provide the University with a great opportunity to share its latest ideas and plans with colleagues, students, friends and neighbours. “In particular, we are keen to provide some useful context to the proposed Gateway development on our land facing on to Stockton Road by outlining our wider vision for our estates development programme which will help to maintain our standing as a world-class University. “This event will provide some useful insight and information about the way in which the University interacts with the community and our commitment to making a positive contribution to life in the City and County.” The event is open to the public from 3pm until 8pm on Wednesday 29, and from 10:00am until 8pm on Thursday 30. Parking is available and the venue is well-served by public transport. For more information about the proposed Gateway development and the broader estates development project visit www.durham.ac.uk/durham.project If you require further information about the event or venue please call the Durham University Communications Office on 0191 334 6300. It was announced last month that a £3m Government grant had been brought forward for preparation works for the planned development. It is planned that the Gateway development could sustain more than 200 local construction jobs.