A vacant house in Durham will be turned into four flats under plans approved by councillors, despite objectors claims it would put residents "in danger".

Claypath Property Company applied for planning permission to convert the empty house and office into four two-bedroom apartments.

The plan for the former multiple occupation home and cottage extension on Gilesgate, Durham will add a one-storey extension, off-street parking and one-way gated access.

The building, surrounded by an overgrown garden, is considered a non-designated heritage asset because of its historic interest, in a conservation area.

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Durham County Council received seven letters of objection about the proposal, a planning committee heard on Tuesday (June 14).

Objectors said there was "already enough student accommodation in the city" and residents of St Giles Close would be "in danger when leaving their homes".

They raised issues about parking, road safety, noise, disturbance, "narrow and dangerous" access, no access for emergency and large delivery vehicles, and lack of electric vehicle charging points.

The developers proposed to renovate the building, which was needed to stop it falling into disrepair, while keeping its original facade and character.

They said the conversion "will provide high-quality living suitable for professionals".

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They argued in a statement: "The proposal includes the improvement of the visual appearance of the dwelling and cottage.

"There are potential economic and employment benefits that would arise from the construction and occupation of the proposed apartments and the investment in the area and regeneration of the vacant site.

"The proposal would provide rare to the market character property apartments, with off-street parking facilities in a historic part of Durham, adding to the overall mix of accommodation in the area.

"This would make a positive contribution to the housing supply, regeneration of the vacant property, and improving the surrounding streetscape."

The City of Durham Parish Council previously said they found the scheme "completely unacceptable" for road safety, while supporting efforts to regenerate a derelict area.

Residents and the parish council were concerned about St Giles Close pedestrians coming into conflict with vehicles entering the site as they arrived or left home.

But after the plans were changed, the parish council confirmed it no longer had any objection.

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Principal planning officer Leigh Dalby said they believed the scheme would improve the building, which detracted from the area at the moment.

He said: "It is considered that the proposal would deliver an enhancement to the significance of the non-deignated heritage asset, the character and appearance of the conservation area and the townscape of the world heritage site, through the reintroduction of a positive use to a current vacant building."

Officers considered the site entry safe, saying the one-way system would be an improvement.

The plan was recommended for approval with conditions including a scheme to minimise greenhouse emissions to "achieve as close as possible zero carbon buildings".

It passed with a unanimous vote.

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