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New estate could lead to 1,000 jobs
PERMISSION has been granted to build a £100m industrial estate that could create 1,000 jobs.
The complex, on disused farmland at Heighington Lane, School Aycliffe, County Durham, will combine warehouse, storage, distribution and office space with a renewable energy centre.
The site crosses the boundaries of Darlington and Sedgefield borough councils, with the majority, 36.3 hectares, within Sedgefield's boundary.
Councillors backed the outline proposal by Merchant Place Developments Limited, based in London, on Friday, with Darlington's planning committee approving the application yesterday.
The first phase, incorporating the 5.8-hectare Darlington section of the site, will be accessed from the existing roundabout at Heighington Lane.
It will incorporate 30,000sq metres of storage and distribution space on the ground floor, with two levels of office space above.
A renewable energy centre for the site could include a biomass boiler with a fuel storage silo.
Phase two, with a new road between the first phase and the existing New Millennium Bridge access, would include a single large warehouse building of 90,000sq metres and 900 car parking spaces.
Heighington Parish Council and five residents objected to the application. The parish council wrote: "Sustainable development underpins all Government planning advice, with preference given to previously developed land.
"This is virgin land. In no sense could the development be regarded as compatible or in character with the countryside.
"This will compromise the quality of the environment and the quality of life for the future generation."
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Councillor Valerie Whitby, from Heighington Parish Council, said: "It is the largest development this area has ever seen. There was plenty of opportunity to build elsewhere, such as at Wynyard. We have not got the infrastructure to cope with the increased traffic flow.
Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson said that while mindful of the objections from some locals, the approval was great news for the area.
He said: "It is excellent news on the potential jobs. It is obvious that Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area is a great place to do business.
"The planning process takes all the complaints into consideration, but when you weigh it up, the fact that this is a big investment with hundreds of jobs, I think that is actually the deciding factor.
"I think people in the area will go along with that.
"Obviously we need to make sure the area is looked after and is as environmentally friendly as possible going forward. The big thing is the economic development of the area, and we cannot prevent that, really.
4:01am Thursday 15th November 2007
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