HISTORIC gate houses at the entrance to the Mount Oswald estate in Durham are set to form the basis of a new property.

As part of its continuing development of the overall Mount Oswald site, the Durham-based Banks Group has submitted a planning application which will see the two 19th century structures become a four-bedroom family home set in the existing mature woodland.

The southern gate house will be returned to the original form in which it was built and connected to a new glass and timber-framed extension, while the northern gate house will be converted into a storage area for the main house. The existing stone boundary wall will be rebuilt as part of the scheme.

Banks is working with North-East architect MawsonKerr on the design for the project, which sits off South Road, close to the Durham University campus, and a team of specialist craftspeople would be engaged to "ensure that work is carried out in the most historically appropriate ways".

The firm is hoping that the project will come before Durham County Council’s planning committee in the spring, with the aim of starting work in the summer if it is approved then, so that the new home could be ready for occupation by spring next year.

John Ruddick, senior property development manager at The Banks Group, says: “The Mount Oswald gate houses offered us an opportunity to do something really special in this unique location and we believe the concept that we’ve developed very much does it justice.

"The southern gate house was modified many years ago, so we’re restoring it to its original form and will maintain the maximum amount possible of both structures within the new property’s design.

"We’re managing the project ourselves to ensure that the work is carried out in the right ways and are excited to be creating something truly special on this landmark site for our home county.”

Work on different aspects of the Mount Oswald scheme, which was designed by Banks is continuing, with around 150 of the properties being built by David Wilson Homes, and Bellway in the different residential parts of the site now being occupied.

Landscaping work is also being carried out in advance of the continuing development of the site’s public open spaces, play areas and network of footpaths, while the county council is continuing to progress plans to convert the Manor House into a new history centre.

Work on the Durham University Colleges that are currently being built by Interserve on Mount Oswald, which are due to be occupied by September this year, is also progressing well.

For further information on the Mount Oswald development, visit www.banksgroup.co.uk/mount-oswald.