The latest phase of a major scheme is now underway with the development of a range of industrial units at Station Place in Newton Aycliffe.

Station Place, which is now under construction, is part of the wider £90m Merchant Park industrial scheme – a 65-acre development at Aycliffe Business Park and home to Hitachi Rail.

The new £4.8m project on Site 2 at Merchant Park is set to provide 50,333 sq ft of new industrial space to support new and expanding businesses in Aycliffe.

Work will start on Station Place this month after planning permission was granted in December 2020.

The scheme is due to complete in early 2022 and will deliver a total of ten new industrial units ranging in size from 5,000 sq ft for start-up and growing businesses and creating 130 jobs.

Durham County Council is supporting the development of the industrial units, after agreeing to a 35-year-lease at Station Place in September 2019.

The units will be managed by Business Durham, the economic development arm of the council.

The development is being delivered in partnership with Merchant Anglo and Rokeby Developments.

Sarah Slaven, interim managing director at Business Durham, said: “It’s exciting to see the next phase of Merchant Park underway as County Durham has a strong manufacturing sector and we know there is demand for modern industrial facilities.

“The development is a prime location for businesses to establish themselves in County Durham or for relocation and expansion, thanks to its high-quality industrial units, excellent transport links, and the thriving Aycliffe Business Park Community. We are looking forward to welcoming the first tenants to Station Place.”

Station Place is part of Aycliffe Business Park, which is the largest industrial Park in the North-East, home to a wide range of well-established businesses and next to Hitachi Rail Europe.