DURHAM is "dying" under the weight of students in the city, a public meeting has been told.

More than 150 residents, including former Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds, packed out a meeting called by Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods to discuss Banks Property’s £200m plans to build on the city’s Mount Oswald golf course.

Banks has proposed creating 16 £1m-plus homes, up to 56 executive homes, up to 250 family houses, accommodation for up to 1,000 university students, apartments and a community hub.

Concerns were raised over the scheme’s potential impact on traffic, nearby schools and loss of green space.

But much debate focused on the potential of Durham University students abandoning the city centre for the new South Road campus.

Kirsty Thomas, who has lived in Durham since 1986, said: "I welcome the suggestion of student accommodation. When I moved here, and I live in the Claypath area, it was all residents.

"Now we’re absolutely saturated with students. I wonder about the viability of our neighbourhoods in future. It’s a real tragedy in Durham we are such an unbalanced community.

"I want to see families coming back into the city centre. It’s undermining the community feel. Durham is dying."

Mary Hawgood, a former Mayor of Durham, said she wanted students shifted out of the city centre, but not onto Mount Oswald.

Alan Hayton, from Whinney Hill, said student landlords had ‘totally destroyed’ Durham communities.

Dr Blackman-Woods said the need for housing did not outweigh the need to maintain open space, traffic would be a huge issue and the development would change the character of the area.

Afterwards, John Ruddick, from Banks, said providing more student accommodation would go some way to solving the city centre’s problems and the project was a very positive step forward for Durham.

Further public consultation is planned for December and a planning application could follow early next year. Banks hope work could begin on site during 2013.

The public meeting was held at Durham Johnston School, Crossgate Moor. To comment on the plans, call 0191-3786100.