£27m Development Zone Launched for Aykley Heads Innovation District

Durham's biggest business site is moving forward. A new Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) has been launched for the Aykley Heads Innovation District, the former County Hall site next to the city's railway station, backed by £27m of funding.

For a city that has long talked about creating high-quality jobs closer to home, this is a significant step. The zone is designed to speed up development of what supporters hope will become a major employment hub on the northern edge of the city centre.

What the funding unlocks

The £27m is intended to unlock around 400,000 sq ft of high-quality, high-tech workspace, delivered across four phases. It is a joint effort between Durham County Council, its development partner Muse, Durham University and the North East Combined Authority, bringing together researchers, businesses and public bodies on one site.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said she wanted to "give Durham a major boost, establishing a new home for innovation right at the heart of the city", in the combined authority's announcement. Cllr Andrew Husband said the funding "can only help accelerate our exciting vision for the site".

Best for: A Mayoral Development Zone is a tool that lets the combined authority and its partners coordinate planning, funding and delivery on a key site, helping schemes move faster than they otherwise might.

Why it matters for residents

The location matters. Sitting right by the railway station and a short walk from the city centre, Aykley Heads is well placed to attract the kind of research-led and technology businesses the region is keen to grow. That could mean skilled local jobs and knock-on trade for city-centre shops, cafes and restaurants.

It is early days, and the workspace will be built out in stages over several years. We will keep an eye on progress. For more on the area, see our roundup of things to do in Durham.