Plans for listed Elvet buildings defended

12:03pm Thursday 22nd November 2012 in Durham City News

By Mark Tallentire, Reporter (Durham)

A BUSINESSMAN has defended his plans to convert two city centre office buildings into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Shaun Crawley has applied for planning permission to turn 44 and 45 Old Elvet, Durham, into HMOs with six and 11 bedrooms, respectively.

The former Durham University offices are Grade II-listed and some residents fear their conversion and use by multiple occupants, potentially including students, would damage the buildings and the community.

However, Mr Crawley, who lives and works at number 46, said they would not be let to undergraduates.

A local business wanting staff accommodation was lined up for number 45 and there had been interest in number 44, he said.

“I’m absolutely passionate about Old Elvet. I want this to be the best property on the street.

“This isn’t going to be a cheap job. No corners will be cut.”

Mr Crawley said historic rooms would not be sub-divided and, having worked on numbers 43 and 46 and the Fallen Angel Hotel at number 38, he was the best man for the job.

With Old Shire Hall, the former University headquarters, up for sale, Old Elvet was about to experience a “renaissance” and become one of the most beautiful streets in the region, he predicted.

In 2008, Banks Developments unveiled plans to turn 43, 44, 45 and 46 Old Elvet back into housing. However, the plans fell with those for Elvet Waterside.

Last year, a bid to convert numbers 44 and 45 into a £750,000 arts and cultural hub failed after the University instead sold the properties to Mr Crawley, who intended to let them as offices but failed to secure tenants.

Supporters of the arts project remain unhappy it was overlooked.

Mr Crawley said he had received no interest from anyone wanting to use the buildings as offices.

Matthew Wright, an estates surveyor at Durham University, said the latest proposals “meet the University’s usual contractual restrictions that properties may not be wholly converted for students and that any student accommodation developed must be for postgraduates”.

Durham County Council is expected to rule on Mr Crawley’s application in the next few weeks.

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