Durham University colleges apply for 2am licences for events at new development

Durham University South College [artist impression] SOURCE: Durham University

John Snow College is due to move to a new home at Mount Oswald in time for the 2020/21 academic year, where it is due to be joined by South College – the university’s first new residential College in 14 years.

And to help new students settle in, education bosses have applied for permission for a range of activities on the sites, including the right to serve booze past midnight every day of the week.

Plans lodged with Durham County Council (DCC) have asked for a licence to:

Stage plays and screen films inside and outside between 10am and 2am;

Host sporting events, live music, dance and and anything else ‘of a similar description’ between 10am and 2am;

Sell alcohol for consumption on and off site between 10am and 2am.

Separate applications have been made for the colleges, both including requests to hold ‘a maximum of three outdoor events during June and July’.

If approved, it could mean the wider Mount Oswald site could host up to six events every year.

Professor Tim Luckhurst, Principal of South College, and Professor Carolyn Summerbell, Principal of John Snow College, said: “We are looking forward to opening a new home for John Snow College and the brand new South College at Mount Oswald in September 2020.

“Our aim is to be good neighbours and we are happy to meet any local residents to discuss any concerns or questions they may have.

“We intend to serve alcohol no later than 11pm Sunday to Thursday, and midnight on Friday and Saturday, except for a very small number of exceptions, which would be advertised in advance and strictly managed.”

The university is sinking £80million into developing the Mount Oswald site, which will also become home to a ‘University Hub’ building and ‘multi-use games area’, as well as the two colleges, with enough bed spaces for up to 1,000 students.

The former Mount Oswald Manor House is also earmarked to become DCC’s new £17million Durham History Centre.

Members of the public have until Friday, February 28, to submit comments.