Work is set to begin on a major business park in County Durham that aims to help create 4,000 new jobs.
Durham County Council will start work in the next few weeks on the scheme at Aykley Heads, where it will replace its headquarters with a business park new offering office space for new and growing sectors of the economy.
The first phase will see the creation of 3,500 square metres of offices in a three-storey building, along with car parking spaces.
Council leader Simon Henig said: “We are delighted to be starting work at Aykley Heads, a key strategic site which aims to deliver thousands of new high quality jobs for County Durham and the North East.
“Aykley Heads will offer ‘A Development for a Different World’ – in recognition of how the pandemic has changed the way people work. It will be a top-class destination for businesses by virtue of its location in a World Heritage City, excellent transport links and also the environment we are creating for staff which will be an attractive and environmentally friendly setting with plenty to enjoy indoors and out.
“We are also very pleased to be working with Durham University to explore how the park can deliver a unique digital offer for occupants.
“We know from our conversations with developers and investors that these are the kind of things they want in a business park and that there is strong interest from companies in being part of Aykley Heads. This will only be strengthened by County Durham being included in a national top ten recently for fintech growth.”
The council has pledged £6m towards the project, with another £6m from the Government’s Getting Building Fund and £8m coming from the North East LEP.
James Ramsbotham, North East England Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: “The Aykley Heads development will be eagerly anticipated by many aspiring businesses who desire quality commercial premises with outstanding transport links, so close to both the A1(M) and the East Coast Main Line, and in the proximity of a Unesco World Heritage Site.
“Together with all the planned developments nearby, this location will provide modern buildings with excellent hospitality nearby and all the other amenities that will complement the offer. The chance to provide such excellent facilities in Durham will attract high quality businesses from far and wide. It is no coincidence that the chamber chose this position for our HQ 30 years ago and we now look forward to welcoming others to this outstanding site.”
