The growth in student numbers has put pressure on city centre housing

Durham University wants to develop its site at Howlands Farm in the south of the city and provide up to 800 extra beds.

But some residents who live near the site say they are concerned about the possible effects especially over increased congestion.

One resident said: "We are rather concerned because I think Durham is such a small city to begin with.

"The student population has increased significantly over the past few years. All this is going to do is cause more problems for the residents. Not least the traffic. I think a lot of students tend to bring cars into Durham."

The university's Dean of Colleges, Professor Tim Burt, said it was listening to what residents were saying.

'Relieve pressure'

He said: "We are listening to the locals all the time. One of the problems we have got in Durham is that with the expansion of student numbers over the last decade the big pressure has been on student housing in the city centre.

"What this scheme is designed to do is relieve some of that pressure from the student housing down in the middle of town and this is a big investment by the university recognising the need to provide more beds but we need to do it on land that we have."

Prof Burt said he did not think there would be a problem with increased congestion in the area.

He said they were trying to discourage students from having cars and believed the development would tie in with a new park and ride scheme being planned for nearby.