Durham County Council leaders have made a commitment to push forward with the long-awaited Milburngate development in Durham City centre, despite numerous setbacks.
In a move to resolve ongoing uncertainty, the council’s cabinet has agreed to advance negotiations for acquiring the site, which was once home to the Passport and National Savings and Investment offices. The decision was made in a private meeting on Wednesday due to the commercially sensitive nature of the discussions, but it was later disclosed that cabinet members are in favour of the proposal.
The ambitious Milburngate project, which aims to bridge the city centre with the upcoming Durham Innovation District, has faced its share of challenges. Initially set to open by the end of 2022, the development encountered problems when Tolent, the Gateshead-based main contractor, went into administration in 2023. Concerns regarding ‘fire safety issues’ have caused further delays.
Milburngate, a collaborative venture between Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, is expected to deliver 153 built-to-rent apartments and office space, attracting prominent names in leisure and hospitality. BrewDog, one of the businesses poised to benefit from the scheme, has already invested £1m in a bar at Milburngate.
However, the establishment remains closed, leading to public criticism from BrewDog about the “never-ending bureaucratic red tape” hindering their opening.
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
In January, the developers behind the multi-million-pound project, which includes names like Premier Inn and Everyman Cinema, maintained that discussions ‘remain ongoing’ despite the fact that the venues are still unoccupied. The local council has committed to collaborating with tenants and other stakeholders to ensure the development is completed and accessible to the public “as soon as practicable”.
Councillor Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are very aware of the economic significance of Milburngate to the city and wider county.
“This is a large development on a key site within the city, offering a range of leisure, business and residential opportunities. It’s strategically advantageous location, on the waterside in Durham, makes it an attraction proposition for businesses, from retail and leisure providers to those looking for office space.
“Combining this with the residential and hotel accommodation that is an integral part of the development, means it also has a lot to offer residents and visitors too. Investing in Milburngate would, therefore, allow us to secure its future and bring significant economic benefit to the city and wider county.”
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