Durham County Council has announced a significant opportunity for developers. They are actively seeking a Joint Venture Partner to develop the council-owned Aykley Heads site, which is envisioned as a catalyst for the new Durham Innovation District.

The 15ha site, entirely under council ownership, has already secured outline planning permission for 39,000 square meters of commercial floorspace, potentially housing up to 4,000 jobs. This site is part of a larger 60ha area in the city, known as the emerging Durham Innovation District. This district will include the new University Business School and Milburngate, a vast 450,000 sq ft mixed-use development.

The primary goal of the Aykley Heads and the Durham Innovation District is to harness the potential of economic growth. The focus will be on key areas of opportunity such as research, advanced manufacturing, green jobs, electronics, digital and creative sectors, fintech, life sciences, and satellite applications. The council aims to attract inward investment specifically tailored to these specialisms, fostering sustainable supply chains and job opportunities across the county and beyond.

The Joint Venture will initially concentrate on the Aykley Heads location. However, the scope may expand in the future to encompass broader opportunities within the County Durham area, aligning with the strategic objectives of the Council and its Partners.

This procurement aims to appoint a JV partner with a long-term interest in the development, extending beyond the construction phase. The ideal partner would bring expertise in creating, running, and managing an Innovation District, ensuring a shared approach to risk and reward, and a long-term commitment to the site.