Preferred developer named for 54-acre Durham Lane Industrial Park site

Plans for business and employment at a 54-acre site on Durham Lane Industrial Park in Eaglescliffe have taken a big step forward after Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council named its preferred developer for the area.

The land close to Eaglescliffe Station was purchased by the Council in 2021 with money from the Tees Valley Combined Authority's Indigenous Growth Fund (IGF).

And after a period of competitive dialogue and interviews, Rula Developments Ltd has been selected as the preferred developer for the site.

This was confirmed at a meeting of the Council's Cabinet on Thursday, March 14.

And Rula will work in partnership with the Council on its commitment to spend £3million IGF grant money on infrastructure improvements to unlock the land for development.

The land is due to be taken over by Rula on a plot-by-plot basis.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: "This is a very exciting step for a vital employment site in our Borough - and Rula have an impressive track record with a wealth of experience and contacts, which gives a massive opportunity to attract investment.

"Eaglescliffe is already home to huge firms and employers like Tata Consumer Products Limited and Nifco. Now we're in a really strong position to attract even more businesses when you consider the excellent transport links nearby, in particular with the redevelopment of Eaglescliffe Station.

"Rula are our preferred developer as they match our high ambitions for the site and have demonstrated their ability to operate on similar sites across the country, including Cheshire, Doncaster and Oldham. Plus, this will be their flagship scheme in the North East, with no competing sites of their own in the region.

"It's yet another demonstration of Stockton-on-Tees being the economic powerhouse of the Tees Valley and we welcome all approaches from interested parties so we can support their ambitions.

"We're a business-friendly Borough and we're ready and waiting to welcome you, with a great team in place to support you at every step of the way. We're also very much here to help our existing businesses thrive and grow."

To find out more on investing in the Borough, visit the Invest Stockton-on-Tees website.

For Council news direct to your inbox sign up to our My Council newsletter.