Continued development of Darlington's logistics offer announced
New business park could create 3,000 jobs on the East side of Darlington
Darlington have announced plans for the build of a new business park on the East side of the Borough – adding value to the town’s reputation as an industrial and logistics hub for the North East.
Plans have been submitted for the build of a new business park, known as Symmetry Park, on land to the east of Lingfield Point, which Darlington Borough Council say has the potential to create 3,000 jobs.
The business park, which will cover in excess of 94 acres, will feature more than 1.6 million sqft of employment space - the equivalent of around 25 football pitches.
Darlington MP Jenny Chapman described the development as a “game changer” for the area, whilst Darlington Borough Council leader Bill Dixon said the announcement proved the town was “open for business”.
Plans for a bus terminus, a 60-bed hotel and space for a pub and restaurant are also included for the business park, which will be accessed via an entrance point from Darlington’s eastern transport corridor. There will be enough space across the site to park 900 cars, 130 HGVs, 40 motorcycles and 100 bicycles.
Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Borough Council, said that the proposed new development was “absolutely fantastic news” for Darlington in coverage in the Northern Echo.
“This is hugely significant for Darlington – the jobs created will be high value jobs," he said.
“The jobs will go to local people – the size of the workforce means that is absolutely guaranteed.
Ms Chapman added: “It is good to see investors recognise Darlington as a great location to set up their business. This is a substantial development on a vacant site that has the capacity of providing thousands of jobs for local people - it has the potential to be a game changer for Darlington.
“Darlington is brilliantly located on the A1 and east coast mainline - it is a fantastic place to live and work.”
Cllr Dixon added: “We have already got long established businesses in the town, fantastic road and rail links, and it will be particularly good for the young people in Darlington.
Planning documents submitted about the development state: “Fundamentally, the proposal will result in significant investment in Morton Park and encourage sustainable economic growth in Darlington.
“It is considered that the proposed development could act as a stimulus to the local economy, creating significant new employment and associated economic benefit."
Simon Dixon, development director at DB symmetry, said: “There is a chronic shortage of high quality, strategically located storage and distribution schemes available in the North East.
"We will be liaising closely with all stakeholders to implement a masterplan which will sit well within the area."
The strategic Eastern Growth zone of Darlington covers 583 acres of employment land and provides businesses with the perfect location for growth – for more information on site availability across Darlington, please contact the Invest in Darlington team on 01325 406305 or click on the following link http://www.investindarlington.co.uk/growth-zones/eastern-growth-zone/
For original article, reproduced thanks to the Northern Echo, please click: here: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/16068334.New_business_park_could_create_3_000_jobs_and_bring_international_retailer_to_Darlington/