Sir, - I read with interest that property developers are trying to build student accomodation on the Rocket Union site in Thornaby.

This is in addition to Mandale Properties submitting plans for student accomodation in Boathouse Lane in Stockton adjacent to the recently-built Mezzino building.

My question is this whether there is a need for even more student accomodation in Stockton and Thornaby?

Does the university of Durham considering expanding so rapidly in the next couple of years that there is such a need for accomodation?

What of the private landlords who are already assisting the university with student tenants?

They already provide good quality student housing in the area. Are they going to be simply bulldozed over for big greedy developers?

It just seems that Thornaby is suddenly experiencing a tremendous increase in these high-rise student blocks when there is already a surplus of accomodation catering for the local university.

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