THE North’s leading university has bought part of a golf course, paving the way for the development of 1,000 student beds.

Durham University has sealed a deal for part of Mount Oswald golf course, off South Road, Durham City, with developers The Banks Group.

A spokeswoman could not say whether the new accommodation would constitute a new college, but said: “The site is close to a number of the University’s colleges and to the Business School.”

Discussions had been ongoing for some time and fears had been raised a deal would not be reached.

Harry Banks, chairman and chief executive of The Banks Group, said he was pleased the sale had been concluded.

“We appreciate the importance of the redevelopment of the Mount Oswald site for the University, for the local economy and for the people living in and around the city.”

Banks won planning permission for a £200m scheme to develop the 95-acre site early last year.

The plans included an exclusive millionaires’ row, other expensive family homes, 1,000 student beds and community facilities.

Many residents were opposed to the scheme, saying it would cost green space and cause traffic chaos.

However, David Wilson Homes started building 60 detached four and five-bedroom homes on 12 acres at the southern end of the site in June and a Banks spokeswoman said progress on other parts of the project was expected to be made in the near future.

Neville’s Cross county councillor Nigel Martin said the University deal was excellent news and he was relieved, as he had feared a private operator would come in with an inappropriate over-development of the land.