St Modwen plans speculative industrial development in Darlington

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by Lin Freestone

It is estimated that the project could generate up to 1,500 jobs over the next five to ten years.

St Modwen Developments has owned the land for approximately two years. Plans to open up 70 acres of the land for a £50 million industrial park have been submitted after successful negotiations over access to the site with Darlington Borough Council.

It has not yet been decided what will be built, and potential tenants are being approached.

The developer knows of one company in particular which is seeking a facility in the North-East, but it will be one of many companies contacted.

St Modwen has submitted outline plans, so its application can be as flexible as possible to accommodate the needs of what companies want from the site. Units of 5,000 sq ft, or one big unit of one million square feet, could be accommodated.

Steve Prosser, who is regional director for St Modwen, considers that the scheme could be as important to Darlington as the £200 million regeneration of Central Park, being masterminded by Tees Valley Regeneration. This will include homes, offices, restaurants, bars, a hotel and conference centre.

The development being planned by St Modwen will bring a different kind of employment, jobs in manufacturing and distribution, jobs which will involve a whole spectrum of businesses, from small businesses up to larger organisations.