A COMMUNITY meeting is being held to try and find ways of improving the increasingly strained relations between students and other residents in Durham.

The expansion of Durham University, first announced by vice-chancellor Stuart Corbridge in 2016, has led to growing concern about the number of students and their impact on the city.

The mounting tensions were at the fore of two public meetings, hosted by the university, which took place earlier this year.

Durham Churches Together and Durham University Ecumenical Christian Council (DUECC) are now holding an event on Thursday to try and find constructive ways of improving community relations.

Kirsty Thomas, secretary of Durham Churches Together, said: “There have now been two public meetings hosted by the university and at both a great deal of anger was expressed by local residents with the university over the huge expansion of student numbers and the ambition to increase even more over the next couple of years.

“There is a lot of hostility towards the university. I’ve lived here for 30 years and this the the most acute breakdown of trust I have experienced.

“After discussing this with Durham Churches Together we want to bring some better relationships with the university and students.”

She added: “If we can create a better relationship between the university and students and permanent residents and develop community cohesion it would be a step in the right direction.

“We feel there’s an awful lot of scope for improving the culture in the town.”

There will be four panelists, including Dr Matthew Guest, from the university’s department of theology, who is also part of Citizens of the UK, Sue Childs, a member of the Durham city neighbourhood planning group, Dr Hannah Shepherd, the university’s community liaison officer and student Alex Akhurst, who is secretary of DUECC.

Dr Shepherd said: “Contributing to community cohesion is very important to Durham University and so we are happy to be part of this event, which is organised by Durham Churches Together and Durham University Ecumenical Christian Council.”

Panelists will answer questions about their vision for the city, before a round table discussion.

At the end of the evening, Revd David Wilkinson, principal of St John’s College, will give a summary of proceedings and will suggest practical ways of implementing some of the ideas.

It takes place from 7pm to 9pm on Thursday, October 18, at Elvet Methodist Church Hall, Old Elvet.