DETAILS of two major developments at a North-East university have been unveiled as part of a consultation on its masterplan.

Durham University, which is working on a ten year strategy to expand and bring around 5,700 extra students to the city, has revealed its plans for its sports facilities at Maiden Castle and a new teaching centre close to its existing science site off South Road.

The developments are the first of a number planned for the city, which also include building a new business school at Elvet Waterside, on the site of the old swimming pool, new college accommodation at Mount Oswald, Green Lane, Howlands Farm and Leazes Road and redeveloping university buildings on New Elvet.

The Maiden Castle Sports Park and teaching and learning centre at Lower Mountjoy are priority investment areas with the university hoping to complete work on both by the 2019/20 academic year

Jane Robinson, chief operating officer at Durham University, said: “Our new university strategy aims to deliver world-class research, education and student experience at Durham. We believe these proposals for enhanced sports facilities at Maiden Castle and a new centre for teaching and learning at Lower Mountjoy are central to making that vision a reality.

“I would like to thank everyone who shared their views during the public exhibition. Details are also available on our website and I would invite anyone interested to send us their comments by Friday, March 31.

“We are committed to working with staff, students, businesses, residents and other partners to ensure that the university develops in a way that delivers the best for Durham City and Stockton, the wider North-East of England and beyond, and we will take all feedback into account in developing our proposals further.”

An exhibition of the plan was held at the university's Palatine Centre on Thursday.

Plans for Maiden Castle, on the A177 between Durham and Shincliffe, include a new 3G football/rugby pitch, two new water-based hockey pitches and an extension to the existing building to include a larger sports hall, and indoor cricket and tennis facilities. The existing building would be extended to include an indoor sports hall, cricket facility and indoor tennis courts.

It is anticipated the work would take place in three phases, with all work completed by October 2018.

The centre for teaching and learning would be sited off South Road, on land close to St Mary's College which is currently used for sports.

It would house state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities including lecture theatres, teaching rooms, seminar rooms, education labs for developing new teaching and training methods, student learning zones and catering facilities and could host major academic conferences.

It is anticipated the building would be completed for the 2019/20 academic year.

People can view and comment on the plans at www.durham.ac.uk/about/strategy/masterplan until Friday, March 31.