Muse on board for Aykley Heads

Durham County Council has selected the developer as its joint venture partner to deliver the first phase of the Durham Innovation District, where outline consent for 400,000 sq ft of commercial space is in place.

The innovation district is the local authority’s flagship regeneration project, and phase one comprises the council-owned Aykley Heads site, currently home to the County Hall headquarters.

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.

The council has issued a conditional award to Muse for a joint venture delivery partnership, which will act as a catalyst for the wider innovation district.

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Durham Innovation District is intended to bring together opportunities of scale with the university, industrial partners, government, and private sector investors working closely together to create a regional hub for research, data science, fintech, green technology, and healthcare.

Subject to the execution of the joint venture agreement, Muse said it will work with the council to develop more detailed proposals.

Phil Mayall, managing director of Muse, said: “Durham County Council, supported by Durham University, has already developed an ambitious vision, and we are excited at the prospect of working in partnership to deliver the Durham Innovation District.

“The Aykley Heads campus will act as the catalyst for this nationally significant opportunity which will leverage the long-term vision of the council and delivery capability of Muse, alongside the innovation pedigree of the university.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive economic growth and job creation in County Durham and the North East.”

In January, the university secured consent for a 46,000 sq ft data centre at Aykley Heads.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “These are really exciting times for County Durham.

“It is long-standing goal of ours to develop a strategic employment site at Aykley Heads and progressing a joint venture delivery partnership with Muse shows we remain committed to fulfilling that ambition.

“Aykley Heads has the potential to deliver thousands of quality jobs for our residents and, together with other sites in the new Durham Innovation District, it can be a significant driving force for County Durham’s future economic growth, as well as that of the wider North East.”

North East Combined Authority is backing the project, with more than £9m committed thus far.

Kim McGuinness, the North East Mayor, said: “The rebirth of Aykley Heads and the wider innovation district represents an important turning point for Durham which has the potential to create thousands of new jobs close to the heart of the city.

“We have invested £9.2m in this partnership as part of our programme to support economic growth and create real opportunity for local people by bringing new businesses and jobs to our region.”