BATTLE lines are being re-drawn after the submission of revised development proposals for former student accommodation blocks.

Planning permission has been refused twice for proposed re-development of Kepier House, and neighbouring buildings, in Mayorswell Close, Durham City.

The second application, for 43 apartments and nine houses on the site, was turned down after a planning appeal last year.

Lack of affordable housing in the development was highlighted by the planning inspector as a primary reason for rejection.

Kepier Homes, which includes Three Rivers Housing Association and developer Laing O'Rourke, pledged to go back to the drawing board and come up with revised plans.

A Three Rivers spokesman said it would resubmit an application after working with city planners to, identify units that could be affordable housing.

The revised application, received by Durham City Council, proposes demolition of four former student accommodation buildings, to be replaced by 34 flats and nine town houses.

Kepier House, a former Victorian penitentiary, would be converted into nine apartments.

News of the renewed application was greeted with defiance by local people at the weekend.

They pledged to maintain their opposition and urge more familyfriendly accommodation be developed on the site.

Spokesman Bill Williamson said: "We expected them to come back with something else.

"Our concern after the inquiry was that the previous plans were not turned down because they were too big, too ungainly, with dreadful consequences for the rest of the infrastructure.

"What the inspector said was objectionable was the lack of provision for affordable housing.

"The city council planning policy says any development of more than 25 units must have some affordable housing, but there is a cop-out clause, that the affordable housing may be provided elsewhere.

"Durham needs families, not just itinerant students and techies' passing through.

"We'll be scrutinising these plans closely."

Objections or representations about the proposals must be made to the city planning services department, at 17 Claypath, Durham, by February 7.