WORK has begun on a £3.6m industrial and distribution development which has the potential to create more than 250 jobs in an area devastated by redundancies.

Maple Way will be 70,000sq ft of new, high-quality premises on the Aycliffe Industrial Park, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

It is being developed by Delma Developments on behalf of Northern Trust, with funding from One NorthEast.

The scheme is part of an on-going investment programme at the industrial park by partners One NorthEast, Sedgefield Borough Council and Helical Properties, which is due for completion in May next year.

The site will be home to nine buildings, ranging from 5,000sq ft to 20,000sq ft. Each unit offers extensive on-site car parking and will be protected by secure fenced yards monitored by security cameras.

Delma Developments specialises in commercial and industrial property development, with schemes to date totalling in excess of 1,000,000sq ft across the North of England. Based at Ackhurst Business Park, Chorley, Lancashire, Delma undertakes development projects on behalf of sister property investment company Northern Trust, which has a portfolio in excess of 7,000,000sq ft of industrial and commercial properties, with more than 3,000 tenants.

Christine Smith, board member at One NorthEast, said: "Aycliffe Industrial Park is one of this region's most important business sites and is now home to some of the North East's largest employers, including TKA Tallent Chassis Ltd, 3M (UK) and Electrolux Outdoor Products.

"The investment programme we have led with Sedgefield Borough Council and Helical Properties aims to rejuvenate the 40-acre heart of the park by clearing the empty, outdated buildings and redeveloping it to attract modern firms.

"With the clearance now complete, we are delighted that Delma Developments is now on site and starting work on creating Maple Way."

Mike Grindrod, development director at Delma Developments, said: "Maple Way offers potential occupiers a prime strategic location and will appeal to businesses looking for quality accommodation in an established industrial environment. We are pleased to be working in partnership with One North East and Sedgefield Borough Council to make Maple Way a success."

Councillor Kester Noble, deputy leader of Sedgefield Borough Council, said: "The continued development and modernisation of Aycliffe Industrial Estate is vital to attracting and keeping major employers in this part of County Durham.

"More than 250 local, national and international businesses employing 9,000 people are located on the site and, with the development of Maple Way, we hope to see this number increase."

Lettings agents at Maple Way are DTZ Debenham Tie Leung, Dodds Brown and Whittle Jones.

Published: 09/09/2003