This website has been created to inform you of Gilltown Ltd’s proposals to redevelop the redundant brownfield site at Kepier Court, Durham into student accommodation.
Site and Surroundings
The proposed development site is currently a fenced off area surrounding Kepier Court, to the north of Bakehouse Lane and to the west of Mayorswell Close, Durham. The site is less than a kilometre from the main campus of Durham University and the main shopping areas within the City.
The site falls steeply along a south / north axis with a level change of approximately 7.5m from Bakehouse Lane to the northern site boundary.
The majority of the eleven existing buildings are of little architectural merit, with the exception of Kepier House. The building is not listed but the development site is located within the Durham City Conservation Area.
The proposed development for Kepier Court is a carefully considered student accommodation scheme which aims to develop a redundant brownfield site while remaining sensitive to Kepier House, the site itself and the surrounding context - both suburban and historical.
The configuration of the scheme has been generated in response to a number of factors, principally:
The refurbishment of Kepier House
Existing site topography
Immediate residential context
The development comprises of circa 214 new bedspaces in total across the site. The accommodation will be provided through the construction of new buildings and the conversion of Kepier House.
The scheme will provide approximately 2,500m2 of amenity space, which integrates existing trees and planting with new hard and soft landscaped areas. The focal point of the scheme is a central courtyard garden area in front of Kepier House.
The proposals aim to allow the retention of as many of the existing trees on the site as possible.
Site Plan
Site History
It was previously used as Student Accommodation for Ustinov College of Durham University up until 2005. However, following the relocation of the college to new premises, the buildings have fallen into disrepair. There are a number of buildings on the proposed development site including a former prison building (Kepier House), student accommodation blocks of flats and a number of smaller buildings and garages.
Next Steps
A pre-application for the proposals was submitted to Durham County Council in May 2014 and a subsequent meeting to discuss the proposals has taken place. The planners are to support our planning application and have provided guidance as to where particular attention is to be paid in order for them to recommend a subsequent planning application for approval.
JUNE 2015 UPDATE - The project has started on-site and is due for completion Summer 2017
