MULTI-million pound plans to turn a former mental hospital into digs for 440 students have suffered a major blow, after Durham University objected.

A consortium is seeking consent for a £17m scheme to transform the former County Hospital, off North Road, Durham City.

But Harvey Dowdy, the university’s deputy director of estates and buildings, said the development would be detrimental to the conservation area, the rooms are too small and there is insufficient social and learning space.

“While we are supportive of the use of the site for purpose-built student accommodation – we do not believe that the development as currently proposed is acceptable and therefore oppose the development in its current form,” Ms Dowdy said.

The move comes just days after Crossgate Community Partnership (CCP) filed an 11-page objection to the project.

Meanwhile, the City of Durham Trust has claimed the scheme would add to “ghetto-isation” of the area and called on the council to consider it at the same time as £20m plans to create 400 student digs at the former New College Durham site, in Neville’s Cross.

The County Hospital scheme would involve converting the main 1850s-built hospital building into 47 studios, demolishing a 1930s extension and building two new blocks, including a seven-storey block with 367 bedrooms and a student hub.

Sandra Manson, of agents Signet Planning, said: “The design team are reviewing the detailed comments now provided by the university in regards to the accommodation and it is likely that amendments to address these, where possible, will be submitted to the authority (council), prior to the application being determined.”

Further details on the scheme can be found online at durham.gov.uk/planning. A final decision is expected within months.