This significant development doesn't seem to have got a mention...
Aviation Minister launches the Newcastle International Airport Business Park
DATE: 24-02-14
Robert Goodwill MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, has today (Monday 24 February 2014) launched the Newcastle International Airport Business Park during a special visit to Newcastle Airport.
The minister launched the new development with Dave Laws, Newcastle International Airport Chief Executive and Cllr Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council, the planning authority for the airport.
Significant areas of land are allocated to the south of the airport for the development, including offices, freight and logistics warehouses and engineering hangers. The project comprises four phases, which collectively have the potential to deliver over 7,000 jobs and a regional GVA of over £300 million.
Phase one of the development consists of 175,000 sq foot of office accommodation, with excellent connectivity links to a global network. It will consist of six new office buildings in attractive surroundings accommodating up to 1,000 people.
The Business Park is a collaboration between Newcastle International Airport and UK Land Estates, one of the leading property companies in the North East, and freeholders to the Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead.
As part of the visit the Minister also visited the state-of-the-art Emirates Air Traffic Control Tower, Airport Fire Station and Fire Training Academy. The Minister also got to see the airport’s new Wide Area Multilateration (WAM) system which supports the airport’s primary radar and helps the airport deliver Air Traffic Control services across the region’s airspace.
Speaking at the launch, Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Newcastle is a key UK airport and vital for the North East economy. This new business park offers an excellent opportunity for regional and international organisations. I applaud the bold ambitions of the Airport Company with this new venture and wish them every success”.
Dave Laws, Chief Executive of Newcastle International Airport, said: “The location of the Newcastle International Airport Business Park is ideal for businesses who will benefit from the excellent connectivity through the airport.
“The location is great not only for aviation related companies, but also professional services, technology and IT, telecommunications and oil and gas / offshore businesses, who can make use of the excellent connectivity on offer. This is a very important development for us and one which we feel will be very popular. Other successful regional airports have been able to diversify their business and we see this scheme as critical in supporting the growth of the airport.
“We are delighted to work with UK Land Estates and our shareholders on this project and the launch today is an exciting first step.”
Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council and the LA7 shareholders, said “We feel that this new development will become an important new component of the region’s development portfolio. The connectivity on offer through the airport opens up many opportunities on a national and international scale and we very much look forward to welcoming organisations to the Newcastle International Airport Business Park.”
Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, said “The North East is a great place to live and work and Newcastle Airport provides an important gateway to new business opportunities across the globe. The creation of this new International Business Park at Newcastle Airport is a clear indication of our growing economic confidence and we look forward to welcoming new investors to our city and region - knowing they will benefit from a fantastic location and excellent air, road and rail connections.”
Knight Frank has been appointed as agents for the Business Park, and have started the process of marketing the opportunities.
The development is being overseen by a steering group comprising Newcastle International Airport, UK Land Estates, Newcastle City Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and the North Eastern LEP.