Retail park bid on campus site
UP TO 200 NEW JOBS COULD BE CREATED IN SCHEME
Up to 200 new jobs could be created on a former college campus site under plans for a new retail park.
The retail park could be created on the old site of the East Durham College buildings, off Essington Way and Burnhope Way, Peterlee, which were demolished earlier this year.
Now Quora Developments, in conjunction with Cerda Planning, aims to build five units on the site, with four tenants already lined up.
If approved, the area could see new Lidl and Home Bargains stores, a KFC restaurant and drive-thru and a Starbucks coffee shop.
When all five units are in use, developers estimate up to 200 jobs could be created.
Tesco originally bought the land when it planned to build one of its Extra stores on the plot, with proposals approved in 2011.
The plans for the site, which had stood empty since the college moved to a new campus on Willerby Grove in 2009, had been expected to create 400 new jobs.
But the Peterlee scheme was one of 40 dropped by Tesco, before the derelict site became a target for anti- social behaviour.
New plans will see customers access the site from Essington Way alongside improvement works to existing subways under Burnhope Way and Essington Way.
Easington MP Grahame Morris, welcomed the scheme, saying: “This proposal is an opportunity to revitalise the town centre, delivering new jobs and amenities.”
Developers will launch a public consultation between September 7 – September 21 before the plans are submitted to Durham County Council. To give your views on the development, take part in a survey at www.peterleeretailpark.co.uk