Decision due on NETPark expansion

Plans to expand the North East Technology Park (NETPark), which include establishing almost 250,000 sq ft of new office space and creating 620 jobs, look set to be approved.NETPark is home to a number of innovative companies, as well as Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, two of the government’s Catapult centres and four national technology facilities.The site is in the midst of a ten-year strategy, which includes creating 3,000 jobs and adding another £400m to the region’s GVA.Durham County Council is due to decide on whether or not to approve its latest expansion plans, which are two-part.The first element – a full application – is to create a new junction with access from the A177, as well as a spine road underground ground sewer pipes to serve future tenants.The second – which is outline but the larger of the two – is to build 14 two-storey facilities with a gross floor area of approximately 18,000 sq ft each. This would total about 247,500 sq ft.