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Planning and Design Briefs

Durham is in the heart of so many people in the North East of England and we are rightly proud of its culture, heritage and history. The city's rich character derives from a unique and harmonious relationship between natural and built environments that has evolved over centuries and provides a context for new development.

It is this relationship which creates a city centre that is distinctive and cherished; a fact recognised not only by the extensive Conservation Area which covers the city centre, but by the designation by UNESCO1 of the Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site.

Below it is possible to view to 2 key design breifs for future development in the City Centre;

1. The site of Durham's former ice rink (see below)

2. Lower Claypath

The site of Durham's former ice rink, located at the neck of the peninsula, off Freemans Place to the north of Millburngate Bridge, presents a highly important and almost unique redevelopment opportunity within Durham's city centre. The potential to create a contemporary part of the city that makes a strong and enduring contribution to the city's culture and heritage could give rise not only to a locally important development, but one that is regionally - and maybe even nationally - significant.

However, the very sensitive relationship between built and natural environment in Durham city centre - and the site's prominence within key views of the city - means that redevelopment opportunities and potential must be balanced by a need to overcome complex challenges, in particular ensuring that the 'Durham tradition' of urban design and development is respected. Thus the site's redevelopment must originate from an advanced design process that creates buildings and spaces that are responsive to context and that are of the highest design quality. That process must lead to the creation of buildings and spaces of which Durham and its communities can be proud.

This brief helps to facilitate the design process by setting down key principles and parameters for development proposals to follow. It has been prepared through a consensus approach, with key stakeholders contributing to content and preparation.

The brief has emerged through a collaborative process with participation from a range of key stakeholders including Durham City Vision and representatives of the current landowners. The City of Durham Council's Cabinet has approved the use of the brief to guide and inform the emergence of a scheme for redevelopment drawing particular attention to its key principles and design parameters. The ice rink breif can be found below.

Download full brief as PDF

Download Appendices as PDF

A design breif for lower Claypath has also now been completed. The area around lower Claypath is located close to the contemporary 'quarter' of Durham. It is an historically important location and near exciting new developments such as Walkergate and Freemans Quay. Like the design breif for the ice rink, the Claypath design breif has emerged through a collaborative process with a range of key stakeholders including Durham City Vision.

The design breif can be found below.

Lower Claypath design breif as a PDF