Planning application submitted for Darlington Science Park STEM centre
The facility is one of the council’s flagship town centre schemes being delivered in partnership with Cityheart and is intended to address growing demand for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills across the Tees Valley and North East.
The facility will be located within Darlington’s Central Park innovation district, alongside Teesside University, CPI, and Innovation Central.
The proposed science, technology, engineering and mathematics facility will be located at Darlington’s Science Park and operated by Darlington College. It is being delivered by Cityheart, and also on the project team is Space Architects, Identity Consult, engineers BGP and TGA, ELG Planning, and OOBE landscape architects.
Darlington College, which helped develop the original concept and business case, will operate the centre once it is completed.
The planning application follows collaboration between Cityheart, the council, Darlington College and industry stakeholders to develop the scheme around local skills requirements and the needs of the region’s innovation economy.
The development is being funded through the Government’s Growth Mission Fund and Pride in Place programmes, drawn from a combination of £5m Pride in Place grant funding and £16m central government support. Funding from the Pride in Place Board has already been secured, while work continues on the business case required to unlock the government investment.
Back in June, the council authorised the securing of a lease for the proposed site and approved £400,000 of funding for professional services and planning activities, enabling the scheme to progress towards delivery.
James Litherland, development director at Cityheart, said: “This is an important step towards delivering a facility that will create lasting opportunities for people across Darlington and the wider region.
“Since signing our development agreement with the Council in May, we have wasted no time in bringing the STEM Centre forward at pace. We are proud to be working with fantastic partners on a state-of-the-art facility that will help connect education directly with the industries driving economic growth and opportunities across the region.”
Cllr Chris McEwan, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for economy at Darlington Council, said: “The submission of this planning application, which will now be subject to due process, marks another significant milestone in the delivery of a project which, if approved, will have a lasting impact on our town.”
“A STEM Centre will support local people in accessing the skills, education and opportunities needed to secure high value careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while supporting businesses to recruit and develop talent locally.”
David Gartland, principal and chief executive of Darlington College, added: “This investment represents a significant opportunity for both the College and the wider community, helping to equip people with the knowledge and technical skills required for the industries of tomorrow.
“We look forward to continuing to work with our partners as the project progresses and to delivering a building that will bring lasting benefits.
“The development will create world-class facilities for learners and strengthen the skills pipeline that local employers need to support future growth.”
Delivery of the scheme will be supported through the council’s partnership with Cityheart. A comprehensive Development Agreement has been finalised between the parties, providing the framework for the regeneration of multiple town centre sites over the coming years.
The STEM centre is one of five strategic projects currently being progressed through the partnership and is expected to play a key role in supporting both economic growth and future investment across the borough.
