A NEW business association is helping to shape the future of occupiers at Teesdale Business Park in Stockton.

The Teesdale Business Association is the result of an initiative led by lead developer on the park, Terrace Hill.

Philip Leech, its director in the region, contacted all the business park's occupiers at the end of last year with the idea of creating a committee to represent the views of all those who work or own property on the park.

In February, the proposal was given overwhelming support when nearly 40 representatives attended an inaugural meeting to discuss its potential.

Mr Leech said: "It is of the utmost importance that as lead developer we continue to provide an attractive business setting and a supportive framework for all companies that locate here.

"I think the formation of a business association couldn't have come at a better time. It provides us with the opportunity to steer the business park to greater success with the backing of its many occupiers, and it provides public bodies with one point of contact for matters relating to safety, cleansing, directional signage, car parking, landscaping and other matters."

Professor Roy Boyne, Vice- Provost at the University of Durham Stockton Campus, has backed the initiative from the start.

He said: "The business association is an excellent idea and I believe it will be the catalyst for nurturing a strong sense of community spirit at Teesdale.

"It also provides an ideal channel to promote partnerships between business, education and the community. We can all benefit from this."

Since Terrace Hill began developing the first phase of Teesdale Business Park in 1996, building work has progressed steadily with only eight acres left to develop.

Recently, Petroplus, the Dutch oil and storage company, said it would transfer its administration to the 10,150 sq ft Discovery building in the St Mark's Basin area of the park.

Concluding development in the St Mark's Basin area of the business park will be Resolution, a 42.500 sq ft office with 184 car parking spaces, and Westminster, a 23,300 sq ft building with 95 parking spaces.