NEWS
Local businessman John
Wade has launched ambitious plans to turn Aycliffe Quarry into a
“ thriving ” retail development . An application has been submitted to Durham County Council – proposing a mixed-use commercial development including retail and a hotel – on a site just over the road from the Forrest Park development , which will include a small retail offering and a hotel .
Waste and recycling magnate Mr Wade – who converted historic local pub the North Briton into modern apartments four years ago – wants to turn the quarry into a “ mixture of employment uses , hotel and food outlets ”.
Meanwhile construction of the nearby £ 140m Forrest Park development , which is a joint venture between Durham County Council and the Forrest family , is already well under way , with the first phase to include a 60-bed hotel , public house , petrol station and KFC drive-through restaurant .
The planning application for Mr Wade ’ s proposed development – which would sit just behind the Aycliffe Head structure , at the junction of the A167 and St Andrew ’ s Way – has been submitted by George F . White on behalf of Stonegrave Aggregates , which is owned by Mr Wade and three other directors . The application reads : “ As set out in the supporting planning statement , the scheme is for a mix of employment uses , hotel and food outlets .
“ With all matters being reserved , the indicative layout plan has been prepared to demonstrate how such a development could
The former quarry site , just behind the Aycliffe Head structure , which is subject to a bold redevelopment plan by John Wade .
QUARRY PLAN
Ambitious proposal to turn site into retail and hotel development
come forward whilst satisfactorily addressing technical and design considerations .
“ The ultimate type , design and scale of buildings will be dictated by market demand . Early enquiries have already shown interest from a variety of users .
“ However , the indicative layout shows how the development principles can be applied in order to accommodate a mixture of building types .”
Since quarrying ceased in the 90s , the site has been restored and is used for a combination of sheep grazing and a site compound .
Mr Wade also owns land on the other side of the A167 , where his haulage , recycling and skip hire businesses are based .
Some local residents have already expressed concerns with the development , with one objection to the application saying : “ Aycliffe Village already suffers from horrendous traffic problems , not just quantity but noise , fumes , excess speed and the general pollution in both air and dust borne particles . This further development is going to make this worse .”
Comments can be submitted at durham . gov . uk .
BUSINESS BRIEFS
COVID CASH More than £ 6m has been paid to businesses across County Durham in the last two weeks to help them deal with the effects of local and national coronavirus restrictions .
Since November 12 , Durham County Council has processed over 3,000 applications and awarded 4,145 grants totalling more than £ 6.5m .
This includes more than £ 2m of support to the county ’ s hospitality businesses .
GESTAMP ’ S SCHOOL HELP Newton Aycliffe-based automotive component manufacturer , Gestamp , donated £ 1,000 and hundreds of reusable water bottles to local secondary school , Woodham Academy , to help with the current Covid situation .
NEW TEKMAR CHIEF Tekmar Group has announced that Alasdair MacDonald has been appointed as chief executive officer , taking over from James Ritchie .
Alasdair was chairman of Tekmar Energy for five years prior to the company ’ s flotation in June 2018 , when he became non-executive chairman of Tekmar Group .
APPRENTICE DRIVE More than 50 people are working towards careers with Newton Aycliffe lawnmower manufacturer Husqvarna thanks to a successful training partnership .
Peterlee-based GEM Training , which provides tailored training and apprenticeships specifically developed for its clients , has been working with the Aycliffe firm for some time and has supplied over 500 temporary workers into the company .
The relationship is helping Husqvarna nurture its next generation workforce , and currently there are 53 people who have completed apprenticeships or are in the process of undertaking programmes .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 5