Durham County Council has revealed plans to create a new ‘innovation district’ in partnership with Durham University. 

Located in Aykley Heads Business Park, the local authority is set to develop the site into a place for the public, private and education sectors to work together. 

The Durham Innovation District area will also encompass the Sands Building on the banks of the River Wear, which houses the new Durham University Business School, and Milburngate in Durham City. 

Councillors are due to progress the plans at a cabinet meeting next Wednesday when they will be asked to support the procurement of a joint venture delivery partner who will work with stakeholders to redevelop the Aykley Heads area. 

The local authority says the new district will be inspired by similar areas throughout the county,  including the science-led NETPark at Sedgefield.

The Northern Echo: Located in Aykley Heads Business Park, the local authority is set to develop the site into a place for the public, private and education sectors to work together. Located in Aykley Heads Business Park, the local authority is set to develop the site into a place for the public, private and education sectors to work together. (Image: Ryder Architecture)

It comes as the local authority has revealed further details around the demolition of its existing headquarters at County Hall, also in the Aykley Heads area. Workers will relocate to new purpose-built offices elsewhere on the site, as well as existing buildings that have been acquired.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, leader of the county council, hailed the news as a significant step forward for the region. She said: “What we have done in recent months is reimagine our vision for Aykley Heads to a redevelopment of the site that is part of a wider innovation district that will have perfect conditions for businesses to grow.

“We believe this district can be of regional, national and international significance, and that it can be the driving force for County Durham’s future economic growth.

“The Durham Innovation District will be a uniquely attractive proposition in many ways. Not only is it centred in a UNESCO World Heritage Site city, but it will boast the triple helix that is the knowledge and skills of Durham University; the public sector jobs we are committing to Aykley Heads, which we hope will act as a catalyst for further development; and the expertise of a private sector delivery partner.”

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Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, added: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Durham County Council to develop our shared vision for County Durham to be a highly attractive place to live, work and study, in a prosperous region which delivers good jobs and new opportunities.

“We believe the combination of public, private and education sectors working together for Durham offers the potential to develop an outstanding innovation district including Aykley Heads, and drive the continuing growth of the County Durham economy.

“We look forward to playing our role in developing a close partnership in the next stage of this project and to bringing our ideas and expertise to this potentially transformative project.”