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Work begins on second phase of County Durham employment site with Getting Building Fund support

Development company Project Genesis has begun a second phase of works at Hownsgill Industrial Park in Consett, County Durham, that will see the creation of four new workshop units at Bessemer Court.

The latest development is funded through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) from the government’s Getting Building Fund. £448,000 was awarded in 2020 to enable essential infrastructure and remediable works for five industrial workspaces. The first of which is let, and the next phase of four units is now being built.

When construction of the new industrial units is complete in June 2024, they will create an additional 6,500 square foot of employment space, and create around 20 new jobs.

The ongoing developments at Bessemer Court is being delivered by The Genesis Project, established by Derwentside District Council and Dysart Developments Ltd to regenerate the former Consett Steelworks site.

Mike Clark, Director of Project Genesis Ltd (PGL) – the development company managing the regeneration on behalf of The Genesis Trust – said: “Since The Genesis Project was established in 1994, more than £250m has been invested in Consett through the development of the Consett Steelworks site.

“This next phase of development, with the support of the Getting Building Fund, will help meet the growing demand for high spec industrial units in County Durham; providing businesses with room to grow and the ability to create new jobs for people living in the local area.”

The Getting Building Fund was established early in the coronavirus pandemic to kick-start the economy, create jobs and help areas realise growth opportunities coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. The North East LEP is managing £47m awarded through the Getting Building Fund to support capital investment across the North East.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Bessemer Court is a great example of a project in the North East that has flourished thanks to capital investment from the Getting Building Fund.

“We’ve chosen to inject funding into the site so more industrial workspace units can be created; supporting the growing business base in the area and creating new jobs.”

Hownsgill Industrial Park has been identified as a strategic employment site and key to the continued economic growth of Consett and County Durham. All of units constructed on the industrial park to date are fully occupied by sustainable local companies, and there has already been interest from local manufacturing companies in the new units.

Mike continued: “2024 marks 30 years since for formation of The Genesis Project. We hope the completion of the latest phase at Bessemer Court will pave the way for further works, creating more manufacturing units for local employers.”

For more information about Bessemer Court on Hownsgill Industrial Park visit youngsrps.com.

Click here for more information about the Getting Building Fund.

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Getting Building Fund support to bring investment to region’s offshore wind sector

A £4 million investment by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership in the Port of Tyne’s Tyne Dock Enterprise Park has strengthened the region’s position as a major offshore wind hub. The £4 million funding from the Getting Building Fund is in addition to the £2.1 million invested the Port of Tyne in the site.

Awarded through the Government’s Getting Building Fund, the grant funding has delivered major improvement to the site’s quayside, including quay strengthening, allowing multiple offshore wind vessels to berth alongside Tyne Dock Enterprise Park. It has also funded the creation of a new access road, linking Tyne Dock Enterprise Park to the Port of Tyne, and modern services to site.

The 7.1 hectares site, which has 550 metres of direct riverside frontage, is home to the newly opened Port of Tyne Operations and Maintenance base for Equinor, a hub for operations for the world’s largest offshore wind farm at Dogger Bank.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Tyne Dock Enterprise Park is playing a leading role in helping the North East attract investment and high quality employment in the offshore energy sector. It is also supporting the region’s drive to deliver net zero.  

“As a strategic site for Dogger Bank, it provides a unique investment opportunity in the region; one that will bring significant growth to the North East’s advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors.

“Tyne Dock Enterprise Park will create hundreds of new jobs in South Tyneside as businesses move onto the site, as well supporting job creation across the region’s wider supply chain too.”

As an Enterprise Zone, Tyne Dock benefits from incentives designed to help businesses grow. The 21 Enterprise Zone sites that make up the wider North East Enterprise Zone programme were selected because of the opportunity they provide to attract investment from key sectors; supporting the aims of the North East Strategic Economic Plan to deliver 100,000 more and better jobs and create a more productive, competitive, resilient and inclusive North East economy.

Matt Beeton, Chief Executive of the Port of Tyne, said: “The modernisation of Tyne Dock – and the creation of Tyne Renewables Quay –provides a major wind hub to support the region’s role in the green industrial revolution taking place in the North Sea. Tyne Dock sits at the centre of a growing clean energy cluster that is supporting businesses build out and maintain the country’s major offshore wind farm development areas at Dogger Bank and Sofia.”

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “South Tyneside is at the forefront of the UK’s offshore renewables industry and this investment will strengthen the Port’s operations, ensuring we can continue to innovate and drive forward growth at both regional and national level.

“Tyne Dock Enterprise is a key strategic site, housing world-class facilities like the Dogger Bank Operations and Maintenance Base, and presents a fantastic opportunity to boost job creation and bolster UK energy security.”

The Getting Building Fund was established early in the coronavirus pandemic to kick-start the economy, create jobs and help areas realise growth opportunities coming out of the pandemic. The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is managing £47 million awarded through the Getting Building Fund to support capital investment across the North East. 

For more information about Tyne Dock Enterprise Park, visit www.portoftyne.co.uk.

For more information about the Getting Building Fund in the North East LEP area, click here. 

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New £35million commercial property fund supports developers in the North East

Commercial property development across the North East is set to increase thanks to a new £35million fund launched today.

The North East Commercial Property Investment Fund is managed by FW Capital and backed by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The fund addresses a gap in the market and will drive economic growth and create new jobs in the North East LEP area.

Providing loans of up to £7 million the fund can support speculative developments for new or refurbished commercial projects. This includes industrial units, distribution facilities or office schemes located in the seven authority areas: Northumberland, County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Repayments will be reinvested in new schemes, creating a total investment of £119 million into commercial property in 15 years. It aims to create 5,600 jobs and develop 140,000 sq m of commercial space.

FW Capital North East Fund Director, Joanne Whitfield said: “We are delighted to work with the North East LEP to launch the North East Commercial Property Investment Fund which will support a wide range of commercial property operators.

“Developers often find it difficult to access the finance they need to bring forward projects, particularly if there are no pre-lets in place. The new fund supports speculative developments to help overcome these challenges and answers a critical need to improve the quality of the real estate stock in our region. The cost/value/risk equation continues to inhibit activity at a time when the pace of change is accelerating. We believe the new fund can play a central role in solving this problem and help our region compete for inward investment nationally and internationally.”

Helen Golightly, OBE, Chief Executive at the North East LEP added: “Job creation and the growth of key sectors in the North East are being held back by the market not delivering sufficient high-quality business premises.  There is a severe undersupply of Grade A commercial space which is limiting some types of inward investment or current regional businesses to scale to the next level.

“The North East Commercial Property Investment Fund will finance property and regeneration projects throughout the North East LEP area in line with the North East Strategic Economic Plan objectives. It backs high-quality developments and supports developers to build commercial properties needed to secure business investment in the region.”

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New Getting Building Fund supported development set to boost jobs in North Tyneside

MORE jobs are set to be created after the completion of a new industrial development in North Tyneside.

Commercial property and investment company UK Land Estates has finished construction of a new £4.5m building at its Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate.

The speculative development was partly funded with a £731,818 grant from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) via the Government-backed Getting Building Fund.

The North East LEP is managing £47m awarded through the Getting Building Fund to support capital investment across the North East. The Fund was established during the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic to kick-start the economy, create jobs and help areas realise growth opportunities coming out of the pandemic.

The new building offers a total of 48,666 sq ft high quality industrial space for a range of occupiers and has an ‘A’-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with an array of photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof providing free green energy for occupiers. 

Demand is high for the development, known as L6 and situated on the Intersect 19 area of the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, with the unit already under offer from a potential tenant.

As well as having space for up to 125 full-time staff, L6 also supported jobs in the region’s construction sector during its build phase.

Tim Witty, development director at UK Land Estates, said: “We are delighted to have completed this important new building for businesses in the North East.

“As we have already seen in the response to L6’s completion, there is a lot of demand for this kind of accommodation from a wide range of different companies.

“However, carrying out speculative development in the current economic climate can be challenging so we were very grateful to the North East Local Enterprise Partnership for providing grant funding towards this project via the Getting Building Fund.

“The additional capital ensured we could get on with the build earlier than would otherwise have been possible, ensuring we could meet demand for high quality industrial space quicker.”

Helen Golightly OBE, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Despite recent economic shocks that have led to a cautious outlook for businesses, many are continuing to invest in their futures and sew the seeds for growth.

“Interest in commercial property across the North East has remained high, and the completed L6 industrial space on Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate is another example of how our region is delivering the infrastructure to support business growth, create more and better jobs, and strengthen the economy.

“This development is one of 20 projects across the North East LEP area to receive investment from the Getting Building Fund; ensuring key, strategic capital investments could continue during the pandemic and support our region’s economic recovery.”

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North East LEP funding supports transformation of Gilbridge Police Station

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) has invested almost £850,000 from government’s Getting Building Fund to support the transformation of the former Gilbridge Police Station into brand new, multi-use office accommodation in the heart of Sunderland city centre.

Renamed The Yard, the new building will provide high quality workspace for SMEs looking to grow their businesses in Sunderland, and attract companies back into the city centre, helping creating a thriving community of local businesses.

The Yard is one of 20 projects across the North East LEP area to receive investment from the Getting Building Fund. In total, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership is managing £47m awarded through government’s Getting Building Fund to support capital investment across the region. 

Helen Golightly OBE, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Despite a very challenging environment for businesses in the North East, we’re still seeing demand for high quality office accommodation in the region.

“Encouragingly, many businesses are looking to move back into our city centres, which is helping reinvigorate and reenergise these traditional business hubs after the pandemic.

“The Yard, along with the wider Riverside Sunderland development, is transforming Sunderland city centre and bringing investment into the wider region.”

Developer Hanro Group is leading the transformation of Gilbridge Police Station. When complete, the building will provide office accommodation – ranging from 500 sq ft to 23,000 sq ft – a business lounge, meeting rooms, cycle storage, EV charging, showers, natural ventilation, external ‘green’ space, and an area for outdoor events.

Laura Lloyd, Head of Portfolio at The Hanro Group, said: ”We are delighted that the North East LEP are supporting the creation of flexible, affordable office accommodation in Sunderland city centre through Hanro’s development of The Yard.”

The Yard is part of the Riverside Sunderland development led by Sunderland City Council. The city centre office building will complement additional commercial spaces that are being developed in the area, including Legal and General-backed Maker and Faber.

Riverside Sunderland will create a new central business district (CBD) in the city. When fully developed, the CBD will provide more than one million square feet of high quality office space, tailored to the needs of leading UK and international businesses. It will provide accommodation for 8,000 – 10,000 jobs, generating footfall and expenditure across the city centre.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re thrilled to see work progressing at pace on The Yard, which will be a fantastic addition to the city.

“We have seen the success of similar developments in the city over recent years, with more and more businesses attracted to our transforming city centre, and we look forward to seeing The Yard open its doors and welcome more businesses and business-people to Sunderland.”

The Getting Building Fund was established early in the coronavirus pandemic to kick-start the economy, create jobs and help areas realise growth opportunities coming out of the coronavirus pandemic.

For more information about The Yard (formally Gilbridge Police Station), contact Bradley Hall on 0191 563 4242 or Sunderland BID on 0191 722 1002.

For more information about the Riverside Sunderland development, visit www.riversidesunderland.com.

For more information about the Getting Building Fund visit www.northeastlep.co.uk.

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Work begins to create new eco-building in Newcastle’s West End

Work has begun to create a new eco-building at an award-winning community garden and wildlife site in Newcastle.

Scotswood Natural Community Garden has been awarded £150,000 by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) from its Local Growth Fund VCSE Capital Grant programme towards the construction of its new eco-building, which will allow more people in Newcastle’s West End to take part in its nature-based programmes.

Farah Kurji, Development Manager at Scotswood Natural Community Garden, explained: “Before the pandemic, we already supported more than 3,000 people a year through environmental workshops, volunteering opportunities, nature-based youth groups and community work.

“We know that many of our participants were disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and demand for our services has increased since, but our lack of indoor space has been limiting our ability to meet this demand.”

The creation of the new building, which is designed by North Tyneside architects, Brightblue Studio, will triple the indoor space at the site, adding a classroom, training kitchen, indoor toilets, office and community meeting space.

The design incorporates shipping containers donated by Newcastle College, and uses sustainable materials and innovative technologies to reduce its carbon footprint, with the aim of running at net zero carbon emissions.

The containers are being moved into position and work will begin on construction and fit-out of the building.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East LEP, commented: “By adding to its facilities, Scotswood Natural Community Garden is securing its long-term future and enabling more people to experience the health and wellbeing benefits of being in nature and learning new skills through the many volunteering and training opportunities on site.

“Again, we’re seeing what a vital role voluntary and community organisations like this play in building stronger, more sustainable communities in our region and I’m pleased we have been able to support this project.”

The Local Growth Fund VCSE Capital Grant programme aims to help communities across the North East recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more here.

(Image: architects’ impression of what the building will look like)

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Getting Building Fund supports creation of new industrial workspaces in County Durham

Eight new industrial workspace units are being created on the Hownsgill Industrial Park in Consett following investment from government’s Getting Building Fund.

When complete, the new modern employment sites at Bessemer Court are expected to create up to 100 jobs as new businesses move on to the site.

Built on the grounds of the former Consett Steelworks, Bessemer Court is already home to four fully let units. The expansion of the industrial park aims to support the creation of more SME businesses in the area, help existing SMEs to grow, and increase jobs and employment opportunities for local people.

Mike Clark, Director of Project Genesis Ltd (PGL) – the development company managing the regeneration of the former steelworks site on behalf of the Genesis Trust – said: “The ongoing redevelopment of Hownsgill Industrial Park is helping to bring new investment into Consett, create new jobs in growing sectors in the North East, and create opportunities for existing businesses in the area to expand, sustaining and growing the local economy.

“There is strong demand for new high-spec industrial units in County Durham and we expect Bessemer Court to provide a boost to the local economy as more businesses arrive on site.”

£448,000 from government’s Getting Building Fund was awarded to Project Genesis Ltd to enable essential infrastructure and remediable works to be carried out before construction of the eight new industrial workspaces could begin.

The Getting Building Fund was established early in the coronavirus pandemic to kick-start the economy, create jobs and help areas realise growth opportunities coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is managing £47m awarded through the Getting Building Fund to support capital investment across the North East.  

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Despite wider economic challenges, we are seeing continued demand for smaller workspaces that provide the right environment for growth.

“The targeted investment from the Getting Building Fund Commercial Property Pilot scheme has helped with the construction of the new industrial units here at Bessemer Court and across the region following the coronavirus pandemic, meaning the North East is now well placed to meet the needs of businesses and support future job creation.”

Hownsgill Industrial Park has been identified as a strategic employment site and key to the continued economic growth of Consett and County Durham.

When complete, the new units at Bessemer Court are expected to create 100 new jobs and support around eight apprenticeships and training opportunities. Follow-on PGL and other private sector investment is expected to reach £1.9m.

For more information about Bessemer Court on Hownsgill Industrial Park visit youngsrps.com.

For more information about the Getting Building Fund and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, visit www.northeastlep.co.uk.

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North East communities awarded further funding for development of renewable energy projects

Four projects in the North East have received funding from the North East and Yorkshire (NEY) Net Zero Hub to help power renewable energy schemes in rural communities.

Humsaugh Net Zero CIC; Haltwhistle Partnership; Norham Community Energy Project; and Smart Connected Renewable Community Energy have all been awarded funding from the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF), a £10 million national programme which supported rural communities to develop renewable energy projects.

As Andrew Clark, Energy Sector Lead at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) explains, the four projects have received funding left over from underspend in other parts of the country: “RCEF actually came to an end in October 2021 but, due to the fact that the North East has shown a strong demand from communities for developing renewable energy projects, we were able to secure this extra funding from underspend elsewhere in the country.”

The funding is managed by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, and the North East LEP supported with the allocation of funding to projects in the North East.

  • Humshaugh Net Zero CIC has been awarded £67,000 to develop a solar PV electricity generation facility to be ready to build in 2023. Solar PV was identified in the RCEF 1 Phase 2 study as a viable solution following a comprehensive independent review of low carbon energy generation options for the Parish of Humshaugh.
  • Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre secured £53,320 to enable the completion of all necessary pre-development work needed to progress with their work into utilising heat from water flowing through underground mines to contribute to heating their pool, which could potentially provide heat for adjacent sites. 
  • Norham Community Energy Project was provided with an additional £34,973 to employ a qualified and experienced consultancy to investigate the community energy requirements, research the local renewable energy generation opportunities, and advise on the relative feasibility of the options available.
  • And Smart Connected Renewable Community Energy (CAN) received £94,060 to progress the installation of solar panels and associated battery storage at 19 community buildings which were surveyed during stage one of their project using funding from their initial RCEF award.

NEY Hub Manager, Karen Oliver-Spry, said “It’s great to see such interesting, varied and beneficial projects being supported by the NEY Net Zero Hub. There is so much potential for communities to take control of energy in their localities to make it greener, more sustainable and more affordable for local people. These are brilliant examples which I hope will inspire others to try something similar.”

Andrew Clark added: “Community energy is a key theme in the North East Energy for Growth strategy, which lays out how we will drive economic growth in our region while also delivering on national energy objectives – such as reducing carbon emissions and bringing forward innovative new energy technologies.

“The funding of these four projects means that rural communities in our region can take one step further towards reaping the benefits of renewable energy while creating positive economic outcomes here in the North East.”

Find out more about the RCEF and funded projects at www.neynetzerohub.com and read the North East LEP’s research on next steps in community energy, produced in partnership with the North of Tyne Combine Authority, Durham County Council and South Tyneside Council, here.

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Getting Building Fund support sees expansion of AirView Park Enterprise Zone

Two new state-of-the-art flexible workspace buildings are currently being built on the AirView Park development in Woolsington following a £944k investment from government’s Getting Building Fund.

Strategically located next to Newcastle International Airport, AirView Park aims to grow the number of businesses in the North East involved in international trade and attract inward investment from startups and SMEs keen to take advantage of the region’s global trade links.

When complete, the two workspaces that form part of Phase Two of the development will have the potential to support up to 100 new SMEs and provide the flexibility for businesses to expand and grow, creating more local jobs and providing a boost to the North East economy.

The £944k awarded to developer Tynexe Commercial Ltd from the Getting Building Fund ensured essential infrastructure works could be delivered during the coronavirus pandemic and construction of the new employment sites could continue.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “By responding to the changes brought about by the pandemic and creating office space that meets the needs of businesses both now and in the future, the new developments at AirView Park have already generated a lot of interest.

“By focusing Getting Building Fund investment on key strategic sites like AirView Park, the North East LEP is helping to create the right environment for businesses to grow and create more and better jobs in the region.

“The development’s location next to Newcastle International Airport also supports the North East LEP’s ambition to increase the number of North East businesses that export goods and services from 6% to 9.5% by 2030.”

One of 21 Enterprise Zones sites across the North East, AirView Park aims to create more SME businesses focussed on growing and maximising trade and inward investment between North East England and the rest of the world. It also aims to attract UK or global companies looking to build or establish a strategic northern base, as well as fully support organisations wishing to take advantage of new and existing export routes.

The North East Trade and Export strategy – published in 2021 by the North East LEP, North East England Chamber of Commerce and Department for International Trade – showed approximately 4,500 businesses in the North East region (North East LEP and Tees Valley Combined Authority areas) currently export goods and services. Businesses in the North East LEP area that currently export goods and services typically generate over £15bn of revenue from exporting each year.

One of the new buildings will provide a dedicated Business Support Hub for North East SMEs, offering a physical service centre for export expansion. All key exporting services and resources will be co-located at the Hub, creating a launch pad for businesses to begin international trade.

The second building, Denyer Court, will offer multiple leased office units or a single occupancy HQ building.

Mike Clark, Director of Tynexe Commercial Limited, developers of AirView Park, added, “We are delighted to have the full support and backing of the North East LEP as the allocated grant funding has enabled us to progress the site at pace, delivering a high quality scheme to meet market demands at a time when needed.

“We are already receiving enquiries from potential new occupiers, some operating in emerging and fast growing industries, so we are very confident that Phase Two and AirView Park will become a key site for Newcastle and the wider North East economy.”  

Mark Hunt, Chief Financial Officer at Newcastle International Airport, said: “The Airport provides multiple daily connections to some of the largest airport hubs across Europe and the Middle East, seamlessly connecting businesses in the region to the rest of the world. AirView Park is a prime site that provides a lot of opportunity for growth, export links and inward investment. We are very much looking forward to the completion of the scheme and welcoming the companies that choose to locate there.

“Global trade relations are key to the continued growth of the North East, and as we begin to see a way out of the economic downturn, our export links with countries like Pakistan are very important. Collaborations and strategic partnerships linking local companies with those overseas can help deliver a stronger recovery and so Newcastle International Airport, as a gateway to international markets, very much supports discussions like this with potential trade partners.”

Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for Resilient City, Cllr Alex Hay, who has responsibility for jobs and the economy, said: “AirView Park is going to be an important generator of jobs being so close to Newcastle International Airport – the main gateway to the region.

“The construction of these two buildings will form a key part of that development and provide a further boost to the local economy once they are filled with small to medium-sized businesses, so I warmly welcome them.”

When complete, AirView Park will offer 175,000 sq ft of bespoke offices, tailor-made to suit businesses looking to relocate to more cost effective out of town premises. AirView Park is already home to the national headquarters of Bellway Homes plc.

The Getting Building Fund was established early in the coronavirus pandemic to kick-start the economy, create jobs and help areas realise growth opportunities coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is managing £47m awarded through the Getting Building Fund to support capital investment across the North East. 

The two new state-of-the-art flexible workspace buildings supported by the Getting Building Fund are due to be completed by the end of the year.

For more information about AirView Park visit www.airviewpark.co.uk.

Find out more about the Getting Building Fund and the other funding programmes managed by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.