Breakthrough for Durham Innovation District
Muse, Durham County Council, and Durham University have signed a collaboration agreement to accelerate the development of the Aykley Heads site as a hub for investment and innovation.
This follows the announcement of the joint venture and development management agreement between Muse and the County Council in May this year.
Muse was selected to head up the scheme in March.
Aykley Heads was designed by Ryder Architecture and is a key part of the Durham Innovation District in the heart of the historic city.
The collaboration agreement sets out how the joint venture and the university will work together to deliver the project and help grow the wider Durham Innovation District.
In total, the Aykley Heads site amounts to around 37 acres. The Durham Innovation District as a whole tallies up at around 153 acres in and around key assets, including Durham University Business School.
Aykley Heads has planning permission for 400,000 sq ft of commercial space.
The innovation district brings together ‘Triple Helix’ partners including local government, universities, and businesses to work together.
It already includes major organisations such as Durham University Business School, North East Chamber of Commerce, Durham Constabulary, Waterstones, and council offices at Salvus House and Corten House.
It also includes The Rivergreen Centre, which is being refurbished to become the Council’s new headquarters, in place of County Hall which is to be demolished.
Located close to major road networks and the nearby railway station, the site is also set to be of interest to investors.
The North East Combined Authority has invested £9.2m in the partnership as part of its programme to support economic growth and create opportunities for local people.
Phil Mayall, managing director at Muse, said: “County Durham already has a strong innovation ecosystem and this has been bolstered further with recent government backing to create an AI Growth Zone in the North East region.
“Aykley Heads will provide a high-quality environment to encourage the growth of existing businesses and attract others to the region.
“It will also help to balance out the city core by revitalising the area, creating a vibrant and exciting new employment destination.
“Ourselves and Durham County Council are incredibly proud to have signed the agreement with Durham University and look forward to progressing this shared long-term vision together.”
Cllr Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council, said: “Aykley Heads will deliver thousands of quality jobs for our residents and will be a significant driving force for County Durham’s future economic growth, as well as that of the wider North East.
“We’re really excited to be working with a world leading research institution in Durham University and Muse with its impressive development track record.
“Add in the financial backing of the North East Combined Authority and what we have here is a powerful combination that will act as that important catalyst for future growth.”
