Durham RFI gets green light:

It was announced today that First Industrial Developments have exchanged contracts with entrepreneur, David Martin, to deliver one of the country’s largest rail connected employment parks. The 540 acre site, which fronts the A1(M) at J61, has just gained planning consent for the delivery of the first phase. The scheme, which is to be known as Durham Rail Freight Interchange, is anticipated to provide over 7,000 new jobs with work expecting to start early next year.

David Robinson at Jones Lang LaSalle Property Advisors notes “There are only a few sites in the country that can accommodate buildings of 2,500,000 sq. ft.” Richard Evans, Head of Jones Lang LaSalle National Industrial Team remarks “...the region is now seeing increased interest from a range of large-scale employers including Hitachi, Siemens and Rolls Royce. With First Industrial’s delivery capabilities we are now able to offer customers quick-build, bespoke buildings at very competitive rates”.

David Martin comments ‘....I will be delighted to see the site brought forward for the high quality of occupier I know the region can attract. When complete the scheme will have a tremendous impact on regional GDP, with a positive ripple out effect to local communities and businesses”

Matthew Byrom, Managing Director of First Industrial explains “We believe the park’s direct connectivity onto the East Coast mainline will be of particular interest to the larger national occupier, which this site is most likely to appeal.” Fergie Taylor, Head of Project Delivery at First Industrial continues “....as well as a direct link onto the A1, the park is served by an existing branch line, which will form the basis of a new rail freight interchange with the potential of providing rail sidings to specific buildings”.

First Industrial Developments was formed last year from a group of senior directors leaving ProLogis to focus on the delivery of large scale buildings and sites. The company is now recognised for its green credentials and promotion of ‘carbon neutral’ development. Over the last 10 years the directors of the business have delivered over 13,000,000 sq. ft of premium industrial space across the UK to range of occupiers including Bosch Siemens, Sainsburys and Goodyear.

The promotion of Durham RFI site has received widespread support from the local community and key stakeholders. Matthew Byrom concludes “ …..our aspiration is that the park will support a new generation of business, that will not only re-energise the local economy, but also offer quality jobs to graduates from the region’s 5 major universities....with a catchment of over 2.4m people within a 20 minute drive time, the location should appeal to occupiers seeking a quality workforce”.

Photo credit: Network Rail