A major industrial scheme has hit another key milestone with the development of its latest phase.
The construction of ten industrial units at Station Place, on Aycliffe Business Park, is well underway, with the groundwork complete and the steelwork of the buildings now being erected.
Station Place is part of the wider £90m Merchant Park industrial scheme – a 65-acre development located off J59 of the A1(M) and home to Hitachi Rail Europe.
The new £4.8m scheme on Site 2 at Merchant Park is set to provide 50,333 sq ft of new industrial space to support new and expanding businesses in Aycliffe. It will create 130 jobs and is due to be complete in April 2022.
Durham County Council is supporting the development of the industrial units after agreeing to a 35-year-lease at Station Place in September 2019.
The units will be managed by Business Durham, the business support service of the council. The development is being delivered in partnership with Merchant Anglo and Rokeby Developments.
Cllr Rowlandson, cabinet Member for Resources, Investment and Assets at Durham County Council, said: “It is exciting to see developments at Merchant Park gather momentum.
“This site is strategically important to economic development within County Durham and the wider North East economy.
“I’m confident that these top-quality industrial units at Station Place will be in high demand from ambitious manufacturing firms looking to expand onto this site, which is in a prime location with excellent transport links.
“With our team at Business Durham managing the finished units this key development will help to underpin County Durham’s manufacturing sector whilst creating wealth and jobs.”
Station Place is part of Aycliffe Business Park, which is the largest industrial park in the North-East, home to a wide range of well-established businesses and next to Hitachi Rail Europe.
Geoff Hunton, director at Merchant Anglo, said: “We are seeking to address the shortfall of modern fit for purpose units in Newton Aycliffe to support new and growing business in conjunction with our partners Business Durham.
“We are delighted that the buildings are now emerging out of the ground ready for occupation by early summer next year.
“Despite all the challenges of the last two years, we are now receiving real enquiries from local businesses and am delighted that we will shortly be able to welcome them to Station Place”
Adrian Goodall of Rokeby Developments, the development manager for Merchant Anglo, said: “Despite the challenges we have made good progress at Merchant Park this year.
“The construction of Station Place has allowed us to open up the remainder of the business park, in order that we can respond to a wide range of property requirements and employment opportunities and we are already actively engaged in a number of discussions. Station Place has created this opportunity.”
Mark Convery of Sanderson Weatherall said: “Newton Aycliffe is a proven industrial location with excellent communication links in place to facilitate the day to day operation of both local and international companies.
“The development of Station Place which is now well under way, has come at a time where there is a considerable lack of Grade A industrial supply with ever increasing demand. Existing space throughout Aycliffe is not fit for purpose and does not accommodate the requirements of modern occupiers.
“Station Place will provide modern, high spec units ranging from 5,000 – 50,000 sq ft meeting the current demands and requirements of many operators in the market at present whether it be for expansion purposes, relocation or new start-ups.”
