AN empty and overgrown patch of land in a city centre street is to be turned into a block of flats.

James Charlton has been given permission to build the 12 flats on land next to 24 The Avenue, in Durham.

The application was approved by a Durham County Council planning committee, which had previously rejected a similar application because they said the layout suggested they could only be used as student accommodation.

The approved scheme is for 12 one or two bedroom flats, which would be aimed at young professionals.

They would be spread over three blocks, which would be two storeys on The Avenue and three at the back.

Local residents had objected to the scheme because they said the flats were too small for permanent use and would still be aimed at students.