Highgate

In 1998 a development framework identified four potential development sites owned by the City. Design briefs for these sites were issued in 1998 and Highgate is the only one completed so far. The site was one of five sold by Durham City to raise matching funding for its Millennium City project. English Partnerships managed the two stage competition which was won by RPS working with Bryant Homes.

Detailed design work started early in 1999, with planning approval granted in July 1999, following extensive negotiations with English Heritage and the Royal Fine Arts Commission. Engineering and enabling works started in spring 2000 with superstructure work following on in the autumn. The development progressed in phases and was completed in late 2004.

The design philosophy for Highgate used a townscape study of Durham’s historic residential streets undertaken by the architects as part of their submission. The aim was to recreate the former street pattern of the site with traditional Georgian house forms, plans and elevations and a variety of appropriate features. The planning authority insisted on the highest standards throughout the design and implementation process and Bryant Homes regards the scheme as a flagship project.

A section 106 agreement provided the pedestrian bridge over Castle Chare, the construction of the footpath link to the station and the landscaping of an outlook garden at the top of the site.