PLANS to turn a former city printworks and car park into flats have been resubmitted after being turned down because they were too small.

An application has been made to extend and convert a multi-level decked car park in Claypath, Durham, into four one-bed flats and eight two-bed ones.

Several applications have been made for William Robson, where the owners had initially wanted to put a total of 74 flats, including 28 on the car park and 16 in the attic space of the building, which is used offices.

But previous application have been refused because they did not meet the nationally accepted minimum space standard per unit and did not provide enough internal amenity space.

Two new applications have been made to put four one-bed flats and eight two-bed flats on the car park and to convert attic space of the building into a further seven apartments.

The building, which is located in Moody’s Yard, behind the Big Jug pub and Durham Food convenience store, is accessed via an archway between 83 and 84 Claypath.

Hillcrest NW Ltd, which submitted the plans, say the building’s industrial appearance will be retained and the development will reduce anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping in the car park.

The application says: “The development represents sustainable re-use of an existing building with the appropriate economic, social and environmental benefits.

“The conversion to residential use will stop the current anti-social behaviour resulting from with an under-used building.”

It adds the new plans meet living space standards.