Power boost for business park
A power boost for companies coming to Hillthorn Business Park is on its way, following a decision by council chiefs.
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.
Hillthorn is earmarked for £60m of investment which aims to create spaces for new industrial, storage and distribution businesses, subject to planning permission.
The plans are expected to create about 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 £2.5m grant from the LEP through the Government’s “Getting Building Fund” to help develop the site’s infrastructure.
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 about 322,850 sq ft of commercial space as part of the A19 Low Carbon Enterprise Zone by May 2022.
The second phase of about 285,800 sq ft is scheduled for completion by March 2024.
The plots are about the same size as 10 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.”