OPPOSITION is growing to plans to build another 131 student beds on what residents say is a totally unsuitable site.

Last month, The Northern Echo reported that Empiric Student Property had reached a £1.225m deal to buy a site off Framwellgate Peth, Durham currently occupied by Fram Well House with a view to building accommodation for 131 university students.

Now the firm has submitted a full planning application to Durham County Council.

But already several neighbours and the local Sidegate Residents’ Association have lodged official objections.

They say Durham does not need more student accommodation, more digs in that area would damage residential amenities, the site is unsuitable and the development would encroach onto the Durham City Green Belt and harm the character and appearance of the area.

Objectors are also concerned about vehicles trying to access the site off the A691 from a sharp downhill bend next to the railway bridge.

Further, they say there is no evidence of any partnership between Empiric and Durham University.

The university expects to expand by only around 500 students by 2020, but planning permission has already been approved for more than 3,000 extra student beds.

University bosses have objected to some accommodation proposals recently, though they are yet to comment on Empiric’s plans.

The firm says it will improve the entrance onto Diamond Terrace and the street itself and demand for student accommodation remains high.

John McGargill, from the council’s highways development, has said he would not object to the scheme subject to improvements being made to the entrance and Diamond Terrace.

The accommodation would comprise seven townhouses up to six storeys tall, all backing onto the railway line bank. Each would have four to 24 bedrooms, plus one or two self-contained studio flats – making a total of 116 bedrooms and 15 studios.

The 1960s-built Fram Well House, currently home to JN Straughan and Co accountants and Durham Christian Partnership, would be demolished.

Three parking spaces would be created, with a turning circle at the far end from the entrance, along with bicycle parking.

Consultation on the application has begun and runs until Monday, August 31. For further details or to comment, go to durham.gov.uk/planning and enter the reference DM/15/02129/FPA.

A council committee is expected to discuss the proposals in the autumn.