Durham Council plans a major innovation district, set to create 4,000 jobs by redeveloping Aykley Heads and restarting Milburngate.
The old building will be demolished, attracting tech companies to the new development. Aykley Heads will connect to the city’s riverside, including Durham University and Milburngate.
The Milburngate scheme has been stalled for two years. The council voted to acquire Milburngate, wanting to restart that stalled development. Both projects need millions in investment, but the council says they will be self-financing. Rents and other incomes will cover the costs.
Aykley Heads could be like NETPark in Sedgefield, which hosts innovative companies and has supported many jobs since 2004. Council member Elizabeth Scott sees a new economic area for the county, believing it will be a powerful economic driver, creating around 4,000 mostly high-value jobs.
The North East Combined Authority recognizes this area’s potential. The council identified it for redevelopment in 2018. It’s near the A1 and a train station, offering woods, a university, and a heritage site.
Finishing Milburngate will cost about £55 million, and includes apartments, a hotel, cinema, bars and restaurants. As the main developer went bankrupt two years ago, the council hopes to complete the project. MP Mary Foy supports the Milburngate scheme moving forward, having asked the council leader about the project delays, and wanting to understand why it took so long.