A CONSTRUCTION firm has secured a deal to help deliver a building merchant’s £1.5m County Durham depot.

The Shadbolt Group will oversee JT Dove’s new 12-job Consett base alongside main contractor Team Build Construction.

Work is expected to start on the site, based on the town’s Hownsgill Park, next month.

Gateshead-based Shadbolt Group will provide architectural, geo-environmental and engineering services for the 11,000sq ft depot, which forms part of developer Project Genesis’ wider plans for Hownsgill Park.

Formed in the 1980s following the closure of Consett Steel Works, Project Genesis was set up to rejuvenate redundant land into business and residential space, with Shadbolt Group having established a close relationship with development bosses.

Highlighting previous work on Derwentside College, a Tesco superstore, Absolute Civil Engineering’s headquarters and a number of housing schemes, Lee Butler, Shadbolt Group director, said he was delighted to strengthen that bond.

He said: “We have been heavily involved in a number of projects in Consett since the 1980s on behalf of Project Genesis.

“The investment that has been made has had a significant impact on the town and surrounding areas and we are proud to be involved in another project, which will create further employment opportunities.

This scheme illustrates the range of services we can offer clients from under one roof to streamline the process for developers and occupiers alike.”

Founded in Newcastle in 1869, JT Dove runs a number of branches across the region, including bases in Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Stockton and Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, and managing director Steve Robinson said its Consett site will give the business further market penetration.

He added: “We are very excited to be opening the new depot, which forms part of our growth strategy.

“We already deliver to the Consett area from our sister branches, but believe there is further growth to come and our existing customer base is delighted we have decided to make this investment.”

“It will offer a full range of building, plumbing and heating supplies, and we are very optimistic.”

Shadbolt Group is also due to start work on an 11,585sq ft depot at Hownsgill for bus operator Go-Ahead next month.

The transport firm is switching to Consett from Stanley, with the base expected to open in early 2019.