Durham University Gateway is a £48m project to develop a new administration facility on land adjacent to a Conservation Area and the Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site. The facility includes a new law school, student services centre and library extension.
NLP was brought into the team mid-project to provide strategy advice relating to matters including the need for Environmental Impact Assessment, the decision-making process including the role of the Secretary of State, English Heritage and CABE, and how best to address World Heritage Site and Conservation Area concerns. This advice was provided in the context of an extremely challenging project timescale and against a background of changing heritage policy guidance at a national level.
NLP also prepared Planning and Economic Statements and a Statement of Community Involvement to accompany the application.
Planning permission was granted at the target Planning Committee in line with the project programme and construction is underway.