Police have a new beat at Wynyard Park

Mar 18 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

CLEVELAND Police have announced plans to move part of its operations to Wynyard Park.

The Roads Policing Unit of Cleveland Police is relocating to the ever expanding business park from its existing premises at Cannon Park in Middlesbrough.

In a deal agreed with the development’s owners, Wynyard Park Ltd, Cleveland Police Authority has acquired a three-acre plot on the 700-acre site.

Building work on a 30,000sq ft facility to house about 120 staff, and provide a base for 70 vehicles, will begin as soon as the necessary planning approval has been obtained from the local authority.

The new premises will be situated behind Wynyard Park’s newly completed contemporary-look office scheme, Evolution, on the part of the site that borders the A19 and A689.

Joe McCarthy, chief executive of Cleveland Police Authority, said the deal followed several months of careful negotiations.

“We did recognise some time ago that Wynyard was potentially a very attractive site for the relocation of the roads policing unit, given the opportunity to develop a modern purpose-built facility and the proximity to the major roads network,” he said.

“Following the Government’s decision not to proceed with the reorganisation of police force areas, we again examined the requirements for roads policing and concluded that Wynyard remained the right choice.”

He added: “We are pleased that we have now been able to agree terms for the site and hope that work can move ahead as quickly as possible.”

Wynyard Park Ltd’s chief executive, Chris Musgrave, says the deal underlines the convenience and value of the site’s strategic location.

“It’s great news to be welcoming such a prestigious and high profile new tenant,” he said.

“This is another success story we are proud to announce for Wynyard Park and we look forward to working with the Police Authority to help with the transition.”

Wynyard Park has gone from strength to strength in recent years.

Formerly home to electronics giant Samsung, the site has since attracted £150m of private investment and from a site with three empty manufacturing buildings, more than 700,000sq ft of high quality accommodation has been developed with more than 500 people working there.

Plans are now under way for the long-term development of the key North-east business park with the green light given to a £450m investment plan at the site - which could create 10,000 jobs.

The project is designed to anticipate demand for premises over the next 15 to 20 years and will see the creation of three million square feet of office space.

Plans were also recently announced to create a 2000 home eco-village on the site.

A team of property experts is currently finalising the proposal for a development of environmentally-friendly housing to be built on the 700 acre site between Stockton and Hartlepool.

OTHER recent developments at Wynyard Park include:

York-based property investment and development company The Helmsley Group acquired units 11 and 12 of the Evolution development. The £1.5m offices added to its clients’ commercial property portfolio, now valued at £100m.

NStar Finance and business has moved into Wellington House as it looks to help local businesses boost their economic performance. Finance and business, which is backed by regional development agency One NorthEast, was set up last year to provide financial support and training for small and medium sized firms.

Scan-2-Fit, which provides ultrasound services for private patients and pre-signing scans for football clubs before they buy players, purchased a 2,500sq ft unit at one of the new Evolution suites.

A 10,000sq ft Kids First children’s day nursery has been developed at the site.