A UNIVERSITY says it is ready to listen to the views of residents, staff and students in finalising plans for its multi-million pound development.

Michael Lavery, Durham University’s director of communications, said the £48m Gateway scheme was far from a done deal and designs were still being re-drawn.

He was speaking as the plans, which include a new headquarters, law school and student services centre, went on public display yesterday.

Some residents are concerned about how the Gateway, off Durham’s Stockton Road, will look, and councillors are urging the university to take their views on board.

Mr Lavery said: “We are trying to get as much opinion as we can so we can reflect that in the final design.”

The Gateway is part of the £60m Durham project, which includes making Palace Green Library better suited to displays, creating a Durham Castle and Cathedral visitor centre in Owengate, and refurbishing the university’s Mountjoy estate.

The Gateway development will see:

● The law department moved from the Bailey, allowing humanities departments to expand;

● The law library moved from Palace Green Library to a new building in the Gateway, allowing for more exhibition space;

● The creation of a student services centre;

● About 300 university staff moving from Old Shire Hall to a new headquarters, allowing the Grade II-listed building, which is now owned by regional development agency One North East, to be sold.

Mike Costello, from the Crossgate Community Partnership, said residents were concerned about the height of the buildings and encroachment towards Stockton Road.

But Mr Lavery said: “Durham University is a very responsible developer.

“It recognises the appeal, charm and beauty of Durham and does an awful lot of work to preserve that.

“We are looking for ways to develop our estate so we can attempt to get a better experience for staff and students.”

The university expects to file a planning application for the project during the summer and the development could be completed by 2012.

The exhibition will continue today in Sir James Knott Hall, Trevelyan College, Elvet Hill Road, between 10am and 8pm.