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Durham Innovation District, Durham City

Durham Innovation District, Durham City

Durham Innovation District is a unique City Centre development site.

The new Innovation District, backed by Durham County Council and Durham University to create a ‘triple helix’ approach, will give businesses access to talent, research, networks, and resources within a setting that combines high-quality infrastructure and amenity with a strong community feel.

Key Features

Size: 62 hectares innovation district, with 15 hectares of development at Aykley Heads

Proposed master plan output: Hybrid planning is in place for 38,468 sq m of development

Site owner/partner: Durham County Council

Site requirements: Investors

Durham Innovation District, Durham City

The new Innovation District, backed by Durham County Council and Durham University to create a ‘triple helix’ approach, will give businesses access to talent, research, networks, and resources within a setting that combines high-quality infrastructure and amenity with a strong community feel.


The Durham City Incubator is already located at Aykley Heads, supporting university spins outs and high growth potential start-ups, and Durham County Council has significant experience of developing and growing knowledge-intensive clusters at NETPark, one of the UK’s premier science parks located nearby in Sedgefield  (insert hyperlink) where a third phase of development is due to start on site in summer 2023.


The next development phase of the 60-hectare Aykley Heads will build on this experience to create a nationally significant Durham Innovation District in the heart of Durham city. The first-class site will deliver high-quality office space and an innovation ecosystem that allows business to thrive. It will drive a step change in economic growth, providing 4,000 jobs, 38,468sqm commercial floorspace with a hybrid planning consent in place and is in complete ownership of Durham County Council.


The East-Coast Mainline runs through the innovation district, with the Aykley Heads site within a few minutes walk of the railway station. It is served by the Cross Country, Trans-Pennine and East Coast mainlines providing excellent north-south, east-west connectivity, and accessible by car from the A1 in under 10 minutes.

It is already home to established businesses such as Atom Bank and Waterstons Ltd, and is a short walk to the Milburngate development and the new Durham University Business School, making Aykley Heads a natural home for innovative and knowledge-rich businesses.

The Aykley Heads site is ready to be taken to the market, and a delivery partner search will be launched in 2024.

Business Durham as a landlord

As a Business Durham tenant your business will benefit from the guidance of our experienced business development managers. In addition, we have a number of support programmes which can help your business discover new opportunities. Learn how our finance initiatives such as Finance Durham and the Durham Business Growth programme can help your business prosper.

 

Explore the benefits of attending our varied events programme to expand your network, broaden your knowledge and raise your profile.  Plus, our knowledgeable and experienced team can provide your business with an accessible route into Durham County Council services.

 

In conclusion, Business Durham is not just a landlord – we work with you to help your business prosper.

Strategic Site

Units At

Durham Innovation District, Durham City

Sarah Johnson

Inward Investment Officer

07901326275

Sarah Johnson

Get In Touch

Business Durham is the business support service for Durham County Council, helping to deliver more and better jobs and a strong competitive economy.

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