Durham County Council to partner with Muse

We’ve been selected by Durham County Council as its joint venture partner to deliver the first phase of the Durham Innovation District.

The first phase comprises the council-owned Aykley Heads site, which is currently home to the authority’s County Hall headquarters.

The 15-hectare site already has outline planning consent for 40,000 sq m of commercial space.

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

The 62-hectare innovation district is already home to several major businesses and institutions, including Durham University Business School.

The opportunity will bring together the university, industrial partners, government, and private sector investors. The public-private partnership, supported by the university, is expected to create thousands of new jobs.

The council, with the support of the university, has shaped the vision for the innovation district, which is expected to become a regional hub for research, data science, fintech, green technology, and healthcare.

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

Phil Mayall, Managing Director at Muse, said:

“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.”

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said:

“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.

“We are delighted to have the support of world leading research institution Durham University and the North East Combined Authority, and look forward to the university’s presence acting as a catalyst to help us attract innovation-led businesses and investors to Aykley Heads and the wider district.

“An innovation district in County Durham which is of regional, national, and international significance will deliver jobs for residents and ensure our city remains a great place to live, work, visit and invest.”

Kim McGuinness, the North East Mayor, said:

“We have invested £9.2 million 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.”

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said:

“We look forward to working with Durham County Council to ensure our communities benefit most from this nationally significant project.”