THE developer of a North-East industrial park has revealed why the site has been earmarked for a factory that may build the country's next generation of trains.
Geoff Hunton, director of Merchant Place Developments, has confirmed that 104-acre Amazon Park, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is Hitachi Rail Europe's preferred location for a new rolling stock assembly and manufacturing facility.
The Japanese company hopes to hear in October's comprehensive spending review that it has been awarded the Intercity Express Programme to build the trains.
About 800 jobs would be created at the plant, as well as 200 jobs in the construction phase, if the project went ahead.
Hitachi would take about a third of the industrial park.
Mr Hunton said the site had been selected by Hitachi for a range of reasons.
"We can provide rail access into the heart of the site, a test track and a purpose-built facility that we are able to price and finance. And the site requires no major remedial work, " he said.
"We could also provide Hitachi with a landmark building that would provide a high-quality working environment in a sustainable and energy-efficient building that is designed for the purpose of assembling rail carriages and stock."
Accessibility by road and rail to the site, its links to Teesport, the engineering skills in and around Newton Aycliffe and the region's connectivity with the rest of the UK and Europe have all proved significant selling points, according to the developer.
The site also offers expansion room and space for key supply chain operators, as well as impressive green credentials.
A full environmental impact assessment has been conducted.
This has led to mitigation measures to protect newts, bats and owls. The masterplan also includes more than 30 acres of natural habitat, the provision of additional public rights of way and the enhancement of existing routes along green corridors.
In addition, more than 2,000 trees and 1,000 metres of hedgerow would be planted.
The lane where Amazon Park will be based was owned by Durham County Council.
In the mid-Nineties, it identified it as a major strategic site which would be ideal for a large employer.
Working with development agency One North East, it opened up access routes into the site and in 2008 awarded Merchant Place the contract to develop the land.
Stewart Watkins, County Durham Development Company managing director, said: "The council took a long-term approach to develop this site at Newton Aycliffe. It is fair to say that Amazon Park would not be happening had it not worked so closely in support of the developer Merchant Place."
