INTERNATIONAL engineering services company Amec has won a £15m contract to design and construct the second phase of Newcastle's Citygate development.

The contract, awarded by Hanro Group, follows the successful delivery by Amec of the £11m first phase of Hanro's Citygate development, which it completed early last year.

The development will become the new home of the Government Office for the North East.

The second phase comprises an 8,500 square metre office development for 400 government personnel who will be moved from an office building near to the development.

Amec and Hanro produced a solution that met specific requirements for a sustainable and ecologically sound development, a high quality design in accordance with Government guidance, a flexible solution for possible future expansion and completion by August next year.

The project will also contribute to the regeneration of the St James' Boulevard quarter of Newcastle, near to the St James' Park home of Newcastle United Football Club.