Multi-million-pound business park could create over 2,500 jobs for County Durham

A new multi-million-pound business park development on a former colliery could see the creation of more than 2,500 jobs in County Durham, subject to planning permission.

As a first phase, Durham County Council is funding the construction of seven units (comprising 155,000 sq ft) at Jade Business Park, next to the A19 and Dalton Park, which will help revitalise east Durham.

The project has been made possible thanks to the partnership between Durham County Council and Highbridge Developments, which is behind the UK’s largest office park, Cobalt, in North Tyneside, employing 14,000 people.

Brian Archer, managing director of Business Durham, which works on behalf of Durham County Council, said talks were well underway to secure the first tenant.

He said: “This is a fantastic collaboration between the county council and developer Highbridge to create ready-made units, particularly for International companies working in the thriving supply chains of major firms such as Nissan, Caterpillar and Komatsu.

“The position of this key site is perfect for access to the A19, the ports, airport and train stations.”

Planning permission for the development has been submitted to Durham County Council and, if successful, site works are expected to start this August and will take around nine months. The road leading directly from the site to the A19 has been completed.

Plans for the new business park.

The 55-acre site has the potential for up to 750,000 sq ft of space for offices, large scale manufacturing and distribution tenants.

The site will be owned by Durham County Council and managed by Business Durham, the economic development organisation for the county.

The park - a former colliery and cokeworks - will become a designated Enterprise Zone.

The development has been made possible with almost £14m of funding for highway and infrastructure works from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) and the Highways Agency.

It will help fund a programme of works to increase the capacity of the A19/A182 junctions serving the business park, which will allow for future growth.

Guy Marsden, director at Highbridge Properties PLC, added: “We’re excited to submit planning for the first phase of this proposed major inward investment site.

“Jade Business Park will give the local economy and employment market a tremendous boost - creating up to 2,500 jobs once the Jade scheme is completed.

“Jade is a new generation Enterprise Zone and will provide flexible and bespoke solutions for businesses to tailor to their exact needs and, with support packages available from this government led site…

“It is a very attractive location for business occupiers and investors alike.”

The project received funding from the government’s Local Growth Fund through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Helen Golightly, chief executive at the North East LEP, concluded: “Jade Business Park will be a significant site within the region… We are pleased to be able to support the necessary infrastructure works for this Enterprise Zone through the Local Growth Fund.”

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