Team selected for Durham County Hall redevelopment

Muse Developments has been selected by Durham County Council as its joint venture partner to deliver the first phase of the Durham Innovation District.

The scheme’s initial phase involves the redevelopment of the Aykley Heads site, which is currently home to the authority’s County Hall headquarters. The 15-hectare site already has outline planning consent for 40,000m² of commercial space.

Phil Mayall, Managing Director at 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.

“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: “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.”