We held a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday with local dignitaries to mark the start of construction of a £100million logistics and distribution hub, called Symmetry Park, Darlington. The scheme is being funded by TRITAX Big Box REIT.
ISG Construction has been appointed as main contractor to deliver the first phase, comprising a 1.5million logistics facility, which has been pre-let on a 20-year lease to an international online retailer.
Located on the A66, seven miles from junction 57 of the A1 motorway and 20 miles from Tees Port, the site comprises a total of 90-acres. Phase one will absorb 40 acres of the site, leaving 37-acres for further development, which will be brought forward in future phases.
Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Borough Council, and Ian Williams, Director for Economic Growth for Darlington Borough Council took part in the ceremony alongside Andrew Dickman, Director at db symmetry.
Speaking at the event, Andrew Dickman said, “Today marks a watershed moment for the town of Darlington and the logistics industry in the North East. There have been many months of collaboration with the local authority and stakeholders to create a scheme that will address the chronic shortage of modern logistics space to support business growth and, as a result, create tangible economic benefits to the region.
“We would like to thank Councillor Dixon and his team for the incredible support throughout the process and wish him well as he steps down from his leadership role this week.”
Ian Williams, Director of Economic Growth for Darlington Borough Council, continued: “We are very pleased that work has commenced, after a lot of hard work from all parties. The Symmetry Park development, with the large range, number and type of jobs it will bring, is fantastic news not just for Darlington, but the wider Tees Valley and South Durham area as well.”
Colliers International is jointly advising db symmetry with Gent Visick and Carter Jonas.
Carter Jonas is representing the landowner.
The project team includes: Lichfields, planning consultants; FLJ, project manager; Harris Partnership, architect: JPG, engineer; Desco, M&E consultant.
Ends.