Consultation Findings

We thank those who engaged in the summer consultation, with almost 3000 visits to our dedicated consultation website. Over 75% of those who responded to our survey acknowledged the need for the redevelopment of Prince Bishops Place, in light of recent structural changes in the retail sector and increased vacancy rates.

Since consulting the public, Citrus have been working hard to analyse all of the comments and responses received, with a view to honing and improving the scheme design before submitting a full planning application.

£60m

Construction value
(total construction cost)

465 Jobs

Construction jobs

(temporary jobs over the 2 year build period)

195 FTE jobs

(Gross direct jobs associated withthe new hotel, PBSA space and retained retail floorspace)

£65.2m GVA

Economic output

(additional GVA p.a.)

£465,000

Estimated business rate payments

(50% will accrue to the local authority)

At the forefront of our efforts have been changes to the configuration of the proposed development, and the River Wear elevation in particular.

In light of your feedback, we've taken the bold decision to relocate the proposed hotel to a more accessible location above Boots on Market Place, and in its place student accommodation is now proposed above the multi-storey car park facing the river.

This has enabled us to adopt a more sympathetic architectural approach to the design of the river frontage, with pitched roofs and dormer windows better responding to the local vernacular of Durham City Centre.

All of the other key benefits of the scheme we presented in Summer 2023 remain unchanged.

An exciting new public square will sit at the heart of the development, with spectacular views over the river, and reconfigured commercial units at mall level will meet the requirements of local and independent retailers.

The plans and images below illustrate the layout and appearance of the scheme as now proposed. However, full detailed drawings as well as a range of technical assessments will be available for public comment on Durham County Council's Public Access planning database once the application has been submitted.