Boost for £60million Hillthorn Business Park plans in Sunderland

A power boost for companies coming to Hillthorn Business Park is on its way, following a decision by council chiefs.
The site covers 25 hectaresThe site covers 25 hectares
The site covers 25 hectares

This week, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet agreed to place a £1.9million order with Northern Power Grid for an extra five megawatts to be routed into the 25-hectare site in Washington.

The plans are part of the city council’s partnership with investor Legal & General, which is also bringing the Riverside Sunderland development and a new urban quarter to the city centre.

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An aerial view of the siteAn aerial view of the site
An aerial view of the site

The plans are expected to create around 1,600 jobs and replace previous proposals to develop a waste to energy site at Hillthorn Park.

As an allocated employment site in Sunderland’s growth plans, the site has Enterprise Zone status with the Government and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The city council, as landowner, has received a £2.5million grant from the LEP through the Government’s ‘Getting Building Fund’ to help develop the site’s infrastructure.

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Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Investing in the utilities and the infrastructure is going to secure and unlock the development of this first phase of development at Hillthorn.

“As the landowner, we have this duty and responsibility for upgrading the site, and so placing this order for extra power means we can progress the site’s development.”

The new power network is for nine proposed development plots at the site over two phases.

This includes an initial phase of around 322,850 sq ft of commercial space as part of the A19 Low Carbon Enterprise Zone by May 2022.

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The second phase of approximately 285,800 sq ft is scheduled for completion by March 2024.

The plots are approximately the same size as around ten football pitches.

Cllr Miller added: “We’re continuing to work closely with our partners in both the private and public sectors on bringing and securing new investments for our city.

“Hillthorn is part of this bigger picture that brings jobs, new business and helps secure new income streams for the city.”

A report prepared for cabinet adds: “In particular, this infrastructure will help secure investors and occupiers and free up additional supply within the existing network for the nearby International Advanced Manufacturing Park.”

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The decision on the new power network was agreed at the December 8 meeting of the city council’s ruling cabinet.

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