A CITY’S hopes of landing its own multiplex cinema have moved a step closer to becoming reality after planners backed a £30m redevelopment scheme for a struggling shopping centre.

Durham County Council officers say Clearbell Capital’s proposals for The Gates shopping centre, Durham City represent an opportunity to improve a key city centre site, just 100m from the Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site.

Further, there have been growing calls for Durham to have its own multiplex, suggestions such an attraction could be built at Dragonville or Framwelgate Waterside having so far come to nothing.

Councillors on the council’s strategic county planning committee will take the final decision when they meet at County Hall on Tuesday (October 6) at 1pm.

The Gates, built in two stages in 1975 and 1987, has struggled for many years, losing a string of “anchor” stores such as Safeway, Morrisons and Waitrose.

The scheme would see parts of the complex demolished and rebuilt and other parts refurbished.

The car park would be retained and new shops – including on an open air street, restaurants and a riverside promenade created.

What has proved most controversial, however, has been the inclusion of 253 student beds, with the City of Durham Trust, two residents’ groups and Durham University making official objections.

The University said no need for extra accommodation had been proven and the scheme would “perpetuate an unbalanced residential population”, along with causing “substantial harm” to the World Heritage Site.

In contrast, Clearbell, a London-based property developer that bought The Gates for £11.85m last summer, says the project would make a huge contribution to the future vitality and viability of the city centre by attracting new businesses and visitors.

On students, the firm says there is a “clear” need for more purpose-built digs and council planners conclude the site is a “highly sustainable location” for such accommodation.

Concluding his report to councillors, senior planning officer Henry Jones says The Gates is “economically underperforming” and the development has the potential to provide Durham with a new shopping and tourism destination of benefit to the city.

The appearance of Durham’s riverside could change beyond recognition in coming years. The £27m Freeman’s Reach office development is already well under way on the former ice rink site across the River Wear and proposals are being drawn up to demolish 1960s tower block Milburngate House and create £150m-worth of offices, shops, restaurants and apartments.