Council completes £2.6million purchase of "critical" site for business and employment growth

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has confirmed the purchase of a 26-hectare site at Durham Lane Industrial Park in Eaglescliffe.

The announcement comes just days after the Invest Stockton-on-Tees campaign was launched to boost business investment in the Borough.

Last year, the Council agreed a proposal to secure the land for business and employment use amid interest from housing developers.

The sale has now been finalised with the £2.6million acquisition paid for with money from the Tees Valley Combined Authority's (TVCA) Indigenous Growth Fund (IGF).

Work is moving ahead, in partnership with Network Rail and TVCA, to install a new footbridge and accessible ramp to provide connectivity to Eaglescliffe railway station.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: "This is an important strategic purchase that protects a critical employment site in the Borough.

"It's a key part of our Local Plan and we now have the power to safeguard and direct its future in line with those objectives.

"Eaglescliffe is already home to huge firms and employers like Tata Global Beverages and Nifco and we're in a really strong position to attract more businesses, especially with the increased investment from Network Rail to improve the site's transport links.

"We've already had lots of contact from existing businesses, developers and new businesses all keen to work with us to grow the site for employment and we welcome approaches from all interested parties so we can support their ambitions."

Thomas Hudson, Commercial Director at Returnable Packaging Services (RPS) Limited, a successful existing business at the site, said: "It's fantastic that the Council has secured the land on Durham Lane Industrial Park as it provides another foundation for development.

"There are many exciting projects taking place across the Tees Valley, providing an economic vibrancy in the region that brings the opportunity for more businesses to base themselves in the Borough.

"RPS is proud to be part of this community and we're looking forward to what the future brings."