Park go-ahead

Dec 14 2007 by Graeme King, The Journal

A NEW £17m retail park in Consett has been granted planning permission and will see a total of 100,000sqft of space developed by Dysart Developments.

The park will consist of mixed shops, and offer parking for 500 cars. The developers say they have received “numerous” inquiries from a variety of shopkeepers and these can now be pursued following planning approval.

Derwentside Council hopes the influx of new retailers into Consett with bring much needed shops and services, providing the choice and removing the need for shoppers to go elsewhere.

Mike Cuthbertson, a director of agent GVA Lamb & Edge, said: “This is the latest development to bring new retail space into Consett, and we believe that it will fill a gap, providing shoppers with what they need on their doorstep, as well as bringing more employment into the town. It will provide modern, adaptable retail space to suit all kinds of potential tenants and it has the advantage of being easily accessible with lots of parking.”

The development site is on the upper level of a 750-acre site at Berry Edge, next to a proposed hotel and the restaurant, Soprano’s, which opened in August.

Morris Muter, managing director of Dysart Developments, and the driving force behind Consett regeneration scheme Project Genesis, said: “The number of households is increasing in Consett, reversing the decline, and the amount of new build housing means that we need to improve the retail offer, which we are now able to do.”