Mount Oswald, Durham City

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Location: South of Durham City, next to part of the Durham University campus
Local authority: Durham County Council
Postcode of nearby property: DH1 3TE
Size: c38 hectares (c93 acres)
Site status: Being constructed

The story so far

The vision for Mount Oswald was to create a sustainable, high-quality community that provides much-needed, high-quality family homes, with green open areas and spaces for families to enjoy.

Today, the former golf course has been transformed with David Wilson Homes and Bellway Homes building nearly 300 family homes alongside Banks Homes Symeon Court development of 9 homes, creating a thriving new community on the prestigious city centre site. Roads, footpaths and cycleways have been installed at Mount Oswald, encouraging the use of the public transport system giving the option to walk and cycle into the city and beyond.

Banks have started works on the central park area now that the Symeon Court development is now completed, works include paths, planting, informal and formal play.

The Mount Oswald Manor House was built around 1830 and is now a Grade II listed building. The land around it was used as a golf course until 2013 – with the Manor House acting as the clubhouse, bar, restaurant, changing rooms and storage. Durham County Council is currently transforming the Manor House, known as ‘The Story’, into a centre for the county archives, including those of the Durham Light Infantry, as well as the city’s registry office creating a beautiful wedding venue.

Key project benefits so far

New homes

Student bedrooms

Sustainable urban drainage systems

Trees planted

Acres of public open space

Cycle ways established

Footpaths created

Symeon Court & Symeon Manor

Banks Homes built nine bespoke, detached four and five bedroom homes, including an exceptional six bedroom house, Symeon Manor.

Work is planned to rebuild the two listed gatehouses, with the north gatehouse providing storage space and the south gatehouse ultimately linked to a bespoke modern timber framed extension.

Much-needed student accommodation & local facilities

Durham University has built new student accommodation on the site (John Snow College and South College) and in May 2023 Durham County Council planning committee approved our outline application for the second phase of the student accommodation. The reserved matters application has been submitted and awaiting approval, this will enable the development of a further 850 rooms for students.

A detailed planning application has been approved for a 93 bed student accommodation and local convenience store to be built opposite the current student accommodation.

New high quality care home

In the autumn of 2023 plans were revealed for the construction of a new high quality care home at Mount Oswald.

The Banks Group signed an agreement with Yorkshire- headquartered Torsion Care to provide a care facility on The Drive, as part of the ongoing redevelopment of Mount Oswald. The care home will comprise 74 ensuite bedrooms within a three and a half-storey development in a secure, comfortable facility that will be designed to provide a high quality of care and wellness for its residents and staff.

Constructions works are currently underway – hoping to complete in 2027.