PLANS to turn a landmark Durham building into a cinema, restaurant and houses have been submitted.

The proposals for the £150 million regeneration of Milburngate House in Durham have been in the offing since last year but the formal plans were submitted this week.

Developers want to turn the 1960s tower block, which was home to the Passport Office and National Savings and Investments (NS&I), into 400 new homes, a boutique Everyman cinema, “premium” restaurants and bars and office space.

Permission to demolish the nine-story building was granted by Durham County Council last year.

The development consortium, made up of Carillion, Arlington Real Estate and Richardsons Capital LLP, has made the application to Durham County Council.

Neil McMillan, development director at Carillion, said: “We are delighted to have submitted this application, which will mark the next major stage of the regeneration of the northern quarter of Durham City and help Milburngate become a location of regional significance attracting visitors from across the North-East and beyond.

“We have received a high level of positive support for our proposals from local people, which, together with the commitment from Everyman, provide a strong endorsement for our vision for the riverside.”

Allan Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “The regeneration of Milburngate House really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is a great privilege to be able to create something really special here in our native North-East.

“Milburngate will be delivered by our long-standing and experienced team all of whom share a vision of transforming Durham’s northern quarter into a truly world class location.

“Shaping such a large part of a World Heritage city centre is a big responsibility, but I am confident that Milburngate, like Freemans Reach before it, will prove to be another exemplar development, which will see positive change for residents and visitors alike.”

Developers say they have exchanged contracts with cinema operator Everyman and are in advanced talks with restaurant and bar operators.

Up to 150,000 square feet of office space will also make up part of the development.

It has been strongly rumoured Durham County Council could relocate its headquarters onto the site, allowing the 1960s-built County Hall at Aykley Heads to make way for a business hub.