Residents question whether Durham needs more student flats

Durham University is home to around 21,500 students each year, meaning appropriate accommodation is in high demand. But as more proposals for new developments are lodged, residents have questioned why the city needs so much. 

Although large numbers of properties are being converted into shared housing, large blocks of flats – known as purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) – continue to take over.

And now, residents and politicians have warned that flats and co-living apartments are making the situation worse.

Data suggests Durham City currently has more student accommodation than students requiring it, challenging long-standing concerns about housing shortages linked to the university. 

The situation has been a hot topic for years, but this week, it caused Durham City county councillor David Freeman to ask: “Will we keep having applications for student beds in the city for approval when there is no demand for further beds?”

Analysis published by Durham University shows there is an 800-bed surplus across the city. 

The findings come as new PBSA developments continue to be delivered across the city. More than 4,500 PBSA beds are already in operation, with thousands more either under construction or approved through the planning system. 

Several additional schemes have been announced alongside the ongoing creation of HMOs, including new developments at Melbury Court and Hopper House. The latest city centre PBSA development includes 504 beds as part of the redevelopment of the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre. 

Cllr Freeman added: “When do officers think we will have enough qualitative need not to keep approving further student accommodation applications in the city? 

“We are getting to a point where in the city, we can no longer give any evidence that there is any quantitative need for student accommodation.”

It could also lead to several half-filled buildings throughout the city if the university experiences a downturn in overseas students, Durham County Council was warned. 

Lisa Morina, a planning officer at the local authority, responded: “In the next year, the university will be producing a new plan for growth. We will have a much better idea of the quantitative and qualitative needs. 

“Each application has to be considered on its own merits. In this particular case, the developers are targeting the international student market, and we feel there is a qualitative need in this case.”

Looking ahead, Durham University predicts the demand for student accommodation in the city is expected to increase in the 2026/27 academic year as student numbers continue to grow.

Despite the anticipated increase, the university said it currently expects there will be sufficient housing available to meet student demand.

Durham University said it continues to monitor the city’s housing development pipeline, which it described as “healthy”. 

However, it warned that changes to the private rental market, including the new Renters’ Rights Act, could create risks to student accommodation supply both locally and nationally.

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