£24m Gateshead Quays phase one plans submitted

Whether you’re building a data centre, refurbishing a town hall or improving a railway station, much like Benjamin Franklin’s famous idiom about taxes and death, one thing is certain: the project will likely be delayed and the costs will almost certainly increase, writes Stuart Wilks of Limeslade.

Mark Wolverson returns to the firm, which currently has £58m of projects under construction in the region, having most recently worked as operations director for the North East at Wates.

The investment business has taken the first steps towards a potential second data centre in the south east Northumberland village, with construction expected to take around two years if the scheme progresses.

Scandinavian homeware brand Søstrene Grene has agreed a 10-year lease on a 4,445 sq ft unit at the retail and leisure destination in Durham. 

A joint venture between the authority and the housebuilder is potentially set to deliver the scheme on a 30-acre site on the northwestern edge of the town, as part of the wider Burtree Garden Village. 

Forward-thinking companies ready to build business connections, raise brand profile, and gather market intel on the Midlands, North West, Yorkshire, and North East will find ample opportunities to do so via the 2027 Place Media Group events calendar.

Cabinet is being asked to approve the timetable for the North East Spatial Development Strategy, with the Mayoral Strategic Authority aiming to submit it to government in October.

Place’s popular briefing on Yorkshire’s I&L market returns in October with speakers confirmed so far including Tom Asher, director of I&L at Savills; Dan Burn, head of development for North West & Yorkshire at Panattoni; and Matt O’Neill, place executive director, Barnsley Council.

Plans to reopen the 21-mile rail line could unlock opportunities across the North East, according to a report due to be considered by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.