A SCIENCE park’s expansion has continued after it was granted approval for two more buildings.

Plans for the Grow on Space buildings at the North-East Technology Park (NETPark), near Sedgefield, have been granted approval by Durham County Council’s planning committee.

The £10m project, which comprises three new buildings on the site, aims to ensure suitable premises are available to firms which have developed at NETPark’s incubator facilities and are ready to expand.

The first building was completed earlier this year with Kromek. The company, the first to be based at NETPark following its opening in 2004 and now employing about 60 people, is best known for pioneering an airport scanner that can identify liquids in bottles, including explosives, alcohol and narcotics, in less than 20 seconds.

NETPark is managed by County Durham Development Company, Durham County Council’s business support arm, and the aim is to expand its facilities to not only cater for fledgling companies, but also to encourage growing firms and major investors to locate there.

The two additional buildings will be suitable for firms in the science and technology sector, looking to create international headquarters.

Work is expected to start after Christmas, with the completion next October.