DEVELOPERS have defended multi-million pound plans to build digs for nearly 200 students on the edge of Durham’s Green Belt.

Ashcourt Properties has applied for planning permission to build five accommodation blocks, each two or three storeys high, for 198 Durham University students on an old scrap yard near Magdalene Heights, off the A690 near Gilesgate roundabout.

Concerns have been growing over large-scale privately-run student developments in the city, including at the former County Hospital, Sheraton Park, Renny’s Lane, Ainsley Street and Green Lane.

However, Peter Colebrook, land director at Ashcourt, said: “It’s a nice location and we think it will be a wonderful scheme.

“It’s been carefully designed and we’ve taken into account the comments of (council) officers.”

Elvet and Gilesgate councillor David Freeman said the local residents’ association was very unhappy and people living on nearby Orchard Drive and The Sands fear they would be overlooked.

He urged anyone with concerns to contact Durham County Council and said in future large private sector student development schemes should be dealt with in a co-ordinated manner.

Mr Colebrook said the development would nestle beneath the A690 and be screened by trees and Ashcourt would deliver a “quality product”.

The firm would introduce its own on-site management rather than selling it off, he said, pledging to be “in it for the long term”.

The £4.5m scheme, known as Chapel Heights, would be behind the 13th century ruined hospital chapel of St Mary Magdalene, a scheduled ancient monument which Ashcourt plans to open to the public, with disabled access and information boards.

The site borders the Durham Green Belt but is a brownfield site, having formerly been a scrap yard.

The development would be “modern” in style, although influenced by Durham’s terraces, and include a reception, manager’s office, music room, laundry and common room.

Access would be from Ashwood, off the A690, although there will be no on-site parking for students. A hundred bicycle spaces will be provided.

Company bosses have been talking to the council since last summer and have scaled back their plans from 229 beds.

A supporting statement submitted with the planning application says it would improve student accommodation and pedestrian connectivity and support 64 jobs during construction and three posts once open.

A council consultation on the proposals runs until Wednesday, May 28. Comments can be made online at durham.gov.uk, using the planning reference DM/14/00921/FPA.

The scheme is expected to go before a council planning committee in the next few months. If they get the go-ahead, Ashcourt hopes to begin work on site before the end of the year.