A CONSULTATION on plans to build houses, offices and a restaurant next to the River Wear has been criticised by campaigners.

Banks Developments and Esh Group want to develop Durham City's Elvet Waterside area and will today hold a meeting to discuss their plans.

However, residents fighting to save a former bowling green say they have been denied access to the talks.

Representatives of Banks and Esh are to meet the Elvet Community Panel, a group set up when the development was first discussed.

The companies say it is made up of interested individuals from across the city "who responded to an invitation to play a part in the Elvet scheme's evolution".

John Ruddick, Banks Developments' Elvet Waterside project manager, said: "We will continue to meet with the panel as the development moves forward, to ensure that local residents and groups are fully informed as progress is made."

However, Pippa Bell, from the Elvet Residents' Association, said the panel's members were "hand-picked" by Banks and Esh, and her efforts to join were blocked.

A planning application for the Elvet Waterside project was submitted earlier this month, seeking permission to build 103 apartments, 26 townhouses and 10,817sq ft of commercial space.

Durham City Council is expected to make a decision on the scheme within two months.