County Durham has an ambition to build a successful, sustainable future promising a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle for all of its residents through access to good housing and employment.

To achieve that ambition, £3.4 billion will be invested in creating jobs, attracting inward investment and building new homes.

These are some of the larger developments planned and underway in the county:

Aykley Heads, Durham

Aykley Heads covers 15 hectares  set in mature parkland, providing an opportunity to create a totally distinctive business park for the North East of England.

Our  vision is that Aykley Heads will become a highly attractive location for innovative and knowledge rich businesses. It will drive a step change in economic growth across County Durham, providing high quality jobs in growth sectors.

The development will deliver:

  • Over 37,000 sq ft of floorspace.
  •  An appealing setting for the growing low carbon economy, digital and creative industries.
  • Fintech companies: Atom bank, Waterstons and Tait Walker are all already based at Aykley Heads.
  • The site is a short walk from the city centre and is adjacent to the main line train station.
  • Full permission for Phase 1 was approved December 2020.
  • Construction of ‘Plot C’, the first building on the site began in March 2021 with completion July 2022.

Development of the main part of the site will begin in 2025.

Milburngate, Durham

Milburngate is a mixed used development in the heart of Durham City which will include office, retail, leisure, residential and hotel space.

Milburngate is being delivered by the Arlington Richardson Development Partnership who have successfully delivered a number of strategically important regeneration projects across the region.

The development will include:

  • 450,000 sq ft mixed use scheme
  • 60,000 sq ft retail and leisure space
  • 230,00 sq ft office space
  • 600 car parking spaces
  • 153 luxury apartments
  • 92 bed Premier Inn Hotel
  • Occupiers include Premier Inn and Bar and Block Steakhouse

Jade Business Park, Murton

A 55-acre employment site next to the A19 at Murton near Seaham, Jade Business Park is a prime location for manufacturing and distribution businesses.  Phase one is now complete, delivering seven new industrial units all fully let within 18 months, totalling 155,000 sq.ft with further phases planned.  Highlights include:

  • Site will provide over one million sq ft of new employment space and over 2,500 jobs.
  • Potential for £190m investment with £25m public funding.
  • Excellent transport links next to A19.
  • Enterprise Zone status offers qualifying occupiers a business rates discount which is worth up to £275,000 over 5-years.
  • Prime location for businesses to establish themselves in County Durham, for relocation and expansion.

Integra 61, Durham

A £189 million development at Junction 61 of the A1(M), Integra 61 is the North East’s premier mixed-use logistics and manufacturing park. It is one of few locations in the UK able to deliver such large-scale buildings in addition to roadside and residential opportunities.

The development will include:

  • 83 hectare mixed use site adjacent to A1(M)
  • 4,400,000 sqft floorspace
  • 270 homes and retail/hotel/retail uses
  • 3,100 private sector jobs (Amazon with more than 1,000 jobs)
  • £150m boost to the economy
  • Accessible to all main North East ports
  • Close proximity to major local employers such as Nissan (NMUK), Hitachi, Caterpillar and NSK.

Citrus Group, owner and developer of Integra 61 has already attracted the online retailer Amazon, securing more than 1,000 permanent new jobs for the area.  Amazon’s facility is one of the UK’s largest logistics buildings which has brought more than 1,000 new permanent jobs to the area.

£5.5 million infrastructure works have significantly improved access to the site and addressed longstanding congestion and safety issues. These improvements have been carried out by Durham County Council and jointly funded with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, Highways England and Roadchef.

NETPark, Sedgefield

Established in 2005 with over 200 acres of land owned by Durham County Council set aside for science and technology businesses with a primary focus on applications in the medical/pharmaceutical, defence, space and communications sectors.

NETPark is the region’s premier science park supporting high value jobs with over 40 companies employing over 600 people from university spinouts, start-ups to more established companies.

 NETPark Phase three offers high growth, innovative science, engineering and technology companies the opportunity to design and build their bespoke premises to grow at one of the UKs premier science parks.  With 26 acres of serviced development land available for businesses ready to commercialise and scale up their operations.  Phase Three highlights include:

  • 26 Acres of development land
  • Over £50 million public funding
  • 1200 additional future jobs

Forrest Park, Newton Aycliffe

Forrest Park is a £170 million new 54 hectare site adjacent to Aycliffe Business Park.  Combined, the two parks make the largest employment site in the North East (by land area).  Highlights include:

  • £1.75 million sq ft of industrial space.
  • Potentially creating 3,280 private sector jobs.
  • £153m boost to the economy.
  • Investment opportunities include office, logistics and light manufacturing.
  • Located next to the A1(M).

Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe

Aycliffe Business Park is the biggest single employment area in County Durham and one of the largest business parks in the UK.

Some of the park’s biggest employers include high-profile businesses – Gestamp Tallent, Hitachi Rail Europe, 3M, Inovyn, Husqvarna and PWS.

While engineering and manufacturing remain at the core of Aycliffe Business Park, a number of new developments in recent years have brought dozens more SMEs from the services and leisure sectors to the park, creating a vibrant, busy employment hub and a wide variety of industries.

To find out more about locating in County Durham visit here