ANY development projects proposed for Durham will in future have to make money available to improve the city by creating public art.

Durham City Council yesterday approved the policy which, it says, will ensure that the whole city benefits from any such developments to enrich the environment for residents and visitors.

Although the city has several well-known public sculptures, there have been few examples of public art unveiled in the city in recent years.

The authority described it as rather surprising that in a city with an international reputation for the quality of its buildings, there was no formal mechanism for commissioning public art.

Now a report from John Jennings, the council's director of environmental services, has been adopted, which will require developers to set aside a percentage of the value of the scheme to make provision for public art, either on the site of the development or elsewhere in the city.

Money raised may be used either for a large free-standing work of art or, alternatively, funding performances and events to run alongside the city's programme of festivals.

Funds could also go towards creative use of lighting, landscaping, floor designs or signs.

Councillor Bob Wynn, regeneration portfolio holder at the council, said: "Durham is a marvellous place to live in or visit and its qualities are attracting increasing attention from developers.

"This policy will ensure that, in future, large new developments will be expected to go that little bit further and provide those features which stimulate our appreciation of the environment or help with funding local events.

"It is about enhancing the quality of life for us all and this initiative will ensure we can all benefit from new schemes."