£1.2m expansion plan for Stainton Grove estate, Teesdale Mercury

£1.2m expansion plan for Stainton Grove estate

Jun 23, 2008

A MAJOR £1.2m development will this week get underway to boost job prospects in Teesdale.

 

The project is expected to bring a host of employment opportunities by creating new entrepreneurial activity at Stainton Grove Industrial Estate near Barnard Castle.

 

Durham County Council (DCC), in partnership with One NorthEast and Teesdale District Council, is leading work on six new units on the site of the former Stainton Grove Army base.

There are already 16 units on the site – owned by Teesdale District Council – all of which are currently let. The new units mark the next phase in the ongoing development of job creation in this part of Teesdale.

 

DCC’s business development arm, the County Durham Development Company (CDDC) will be working with Dorin Construction to develop the new units which range from 1,000 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft in size.

 

Cllr Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, said: "The County Council is delighted to undertake this project which will provide valuable extra job opportunities for Teesdale and help regenerate this locally important industrial estate.

 

“In recent years, Teesdale has become much more entrepreneurial and last year had the highest start-up rates in the region. Developments such as the next phase of Stainton Grove will build upon this impressive enterprise push."

The scheme is being financed by a number of contributors including One NorthEast funding of more than £562,000. A further £350,000 will be provided by Durham County Council, £260,000 has been approved from the European Regional Development Fund and Teesdale District Council will provide £30,000.

 

“This is a real boost for the site and the surrounding area,” says Councillor Jo Fergus, South Durham representative on the County Durham Economic Partnership, County Councillor and  Teesdale District Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration.

“Stainton Grove is a key element in the Barnard Castle Vision which is working to ensure that the right level, type and choice of business accommodation is available to Teesdale businesses and that Barnard Castle continues to act as an economic and employment centre to bring jobs and income to the area.  I am extremely glad the funding has been made available for this project to progress.”

The units will be constructed to high environmental standards and are expected to achieve a rating of ‘Very Good’ when assessed by the Government’s BREEAM standards, which help construction professionals mitigate the environmental impact of their developments.

Ed Rowley, acting director of regeneration at One NorthEast, said: “This development will provide much-needed state-of-the-art business units, and fits in nicely with the overall aims of the Barnard Castle Vision, which sets out how economic prosperity will be achieved in the area.

“One NorthEast is committed to supporting business creation and growth and encouraging a more entrepreneurial culture in the North East, which is why we continue to back developments like this.”