Durham's Prince Bishops Shopping Centre plans backed

Plans to convert Durham’s Prince Bishops Shopping Centre into a mixed-use shopping, living and leisure site have been supported by Durham County Council ahead of next week’s planning committee. 

The proposal to transform the site includes creating 32 commercial units on the high street, to be marketed to national and independent retailers. 

New student accommodation would be built above the retail units and the existing multi-storey car park.

How the redeveloped Prince Bishops site could look. (Image: Citrus Durham)

Planning permission for the scheme was initially granted in 2024 but was revised after plans for a 101-bedroom hotel were dropped. Up to 504 Rooms will now be provided in the new student accommodation.

Mary Kelly Foy, MP for City of Durham, said the proposal is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to secure the city centre’s future.

Objectors to the scheme warned that the proposal would “transform Durham City into a student campus and only cater for this transient population.

But Citrus Durham, the applicant, said the redevelopment would cater to modern-day shopping habits and support the future of the city centre. 

Ms Foy said the current site, in its existing configuration, is “outdated” and not set up for today’s retail market.

How the redeveloped Prince Bishops site could look. (Image: Citrus Durham)

She added: “By creating a destination that offers more than just traditional retail - incorporating leisure, modern living, and open public spaces - this scheme will help secure the long-term future of Durham’s high street.”

New views of the River Wear will be achieved by opening up the enclosed thoroughfare through the site and also creating a new public square space. 

A new pedestrian link bridge is also proposed to connect New Elvet Bridge with the new public square to improve pedestrian accessibility throughout the city centre and Prince Bishops Place.

Citrus Durham said: “The proposed development will better suit the existing and future needs of retail and leisure operators; broadening the mix and appeal of the high street and better responding to the challenging retail trading environment to once again drive footfall back to the shopping streets of Durham.”

The proposal includes an investment of around £58 million and is set to create up to 550 jobs. 

Durham County Council’s planning committee will consider the application on Tuesday (June 2).