GRAND plans to make the North-East a UK innovation hotspot have gathered fresh momentum.

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is building a multi-million pound centre of excellence at NetPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham.

The base, known as the Formulation Centre, is expected to open next year, and the CPI has now appointed architect Howarth Litchfield Partnership as lead consultant on a £9m scheme to design and build the 4,500sq metre two-storey site.

Bosses say the hub will work with companies and academics on life-changing products, such as breakthrough medical treatments, washing detergents that can be used without water, and lubricants capable of making engines run faster.

It will employ about 40 specialist staff and provide high-tech laboratories and equipment to turn ideas into reality.

The centre, which has received funding from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NElep) regeneration body, still needs be approved by Durham County Council planners.

However, Howarth Litchfield, based in Durham City, says it expects to gain consent later this year and start work on site in 2016.

Dr Keith Robson, CPI business director of formulation, said the base will be intrinsic to pioneering developments.

He said: “This world-class site will support national and regional companies in the delivery of formulated products such as detergents, cosmetics, paints and adhesives.

“It will provide both large and small firms with facilities to optimise their novel research ideas, thereby reducing the risks associated with product and process development.

“Formulation is an exciting area for CPI and we are delighted to have Howarth Litchfield working alongside us to translate our requirements into design.”

The CPI work follows a number of contracts for Howarth Litchfield, which include new offices for North-East construction company Esh Group.

Neil Turner, Howarth Litchfield director, added: “We are enjoying a higher level of enquiries in the commercial property sector for both new build and refurbishment projects, which, I believe, reflects the greater level of positivity in the sector at the moment. “

The CPI’s NetPark expansion is part of a wider focus in the region, where it has a number of existing bases and is launching developments to expand its reach.

The organisation is building a National Biologics Manufacturing Centre, in Darlington, which will open next month, to provide firms with technical support to research and develop potentially life-saving cures and vaccines, such as cancer remedies and treatments aimed at fighting flu.

It is also working with NElep on an £18m technology hub to develop light-based cancer treatments, which will again be based at NetPark.

Known as the National Centre for Healthcare Photonics, the site is planned to open in 2017, with bosses saying it will allow companies to research and scale-up specialised treatments for skin cancer and eye disease, as well as conditions such as jaundice.

Both the Formulation Centre and the photonics venture are expected to form part of a huge expansion at NetPark, which was exclusively revealed by The Northern Echo last year.

Under the proposals, more than 10,000 jobs will be created at the science park, with Durham County Council expecting to have 200 additional companies on land north of the existing site by 2025.