DEVELOPERS have defended their plans to turn a former mental hospital into student accommodation.

The consortium behind the £31m scheme to turn the former County Hospital, Durham, into 364 student beds say they have carefully listened to the council and local community since a larger scheme was thrown out last July.

Nick Sladen, chief executive of Sladen Estates, said: “We hope that residents can see that we are committed to delivering a scheme that will not only regenerate a currently vacant heritage site in the best possible way, but that it will also create jobs for local people and provide a boost to the local economy.

“Let us not forget that this proposed self-contained and secure development is designed to provide professionally managed suitable accommodation and high quality communal facilities for students in their second year and beyond.

“Without this provision, more housing in the area could be lost to student landlords, reducing the availability for local families in the area and placing pressure on the need to release Green Belt and greenfield land for housing development.”

The original Victorian hospital would be turned in 82 studios, later extensions would be demolished and two new blocks would be built, comprising 282 flats.

The revised plans have already been condemned by the City of Durham Trust conservation group and residents.

A Durham County Council planning committee is expected to decide whether to grant planning permission soon.