Investigations for industry infrastructure
MORE than £1.2m will be spent over the next three years to provide an industry infrastructure in key Wear Valley sites.Sites in West Auckland, Coundon, South Church, Crook, Weardale and Willington, have all been investigated for potential to house industrial units.
Cllr for Crook, Geoff Mowbray, said: “I give my wholehearted support that Crook and Low Willington are in desperate need of more industrial areas.” Feasibility studies are being carried out at West Auckland and Greenfield Industrial estates, investigating the infrastructure for more industrial units to be added, along with Coundon Industrial Estate and South Church Enterprise Park. In his report to the regeneration committee, regeneration manager, Alan Weston, said: “A study completed by Shared Intelligence also identifies Crook and Willington sub-areas to be of key importance for general industry in the district.
Money is to be provided for site servicing and infrastructure in South West Crook. The review also recognised that there are no large employment sites within Weardale. Wolsingham steelworks is to be retained for housing and industrial units and the anticipated Eastgate development should make provision for flexible units to allow for business expansion.”
