Henson Close, South Church Enterprise Park, Bishop Auckland

Durham County Council offers for sale industrial development land with full planning permission for the erection of 28no. industrial buildings (B2) and associated works.

Location
Located on the southern part of Bishop Auckland, specifically within the South Church Enterprise Park immediately surrounded by other industrial properties, and a commercial estate nearby located further west at Tindale.

Bishop Auckland, with a population of approximately 23,355, lies around 9.5 miles southwest of Durham. The area benefits from strong transport links, with the A688 situated just west of the property, and A689 to the north, both providing direct access to the A1(M) at Junction 60.

Description
The asset comprises of open space land. It, in total, extends to approximately circa 3.78 acres or 1.52 hectares.

Communications
Road – The property benefits from direct access from Henson Close, and Dovecott Hill which are 300 meters from the A688, which connects to the A1(M).

Rail – The nearest railway station is Bishop Auckland, located approximately 1.3 miles north of the property. Shildon Station is also accessible, situated around 2.5 miles to the south. Both stations lie on the line connecting to Darlington, which provides onward connections via L N E R services to destinations across both the north and south of England.

Air – Air travel is served by two nearby airports: Teesside International Airport, approximately 18 miles to the south, and Newcastle International Airport, around 41.6 miles to the north.

Services
It is understood that all major services are close to the edge of the site. It is the responsibility of prospective purchasers to confirm the extent of the services, their availability and suitability, with the relevant utility service providers.

Planning
On the 20th of December 2024, D C C Local Planning Authority (‘LPA’) granted detailed planning permission (application reference: D M/24/00922/F P A for Erection of 28no. industrial buildings B 2) and associated works.

Proposed Use
The site is defined as allocated employment land as defined by Policy 2 of the County Durham Plan (‘C D P’), which allows for use classes B 2 and B 8.In line with the planning approval D M/24/00922/F P A, it is believed that the asset would be suitable to accommodate 28no. industrial buildings (B 2) and associated works.

Tenure
Land will be sold as Freehold with a detailed planning permission in accordance with an agreed layout scheme.

Covenants
To be used for industrial purposes.

Closing Date
Offers must reach the Head of Legal and Democratic Services no later than 4.00pm on Monday the 8th of June 2026.

Interested parties should note that sufficient time must be allowed for the return of offers to meet the closing date.

Timescales
Contract exchange will take place as soon as reasonable.

Costs
The purchaser will be responsible for the Council’s Surveyor Fee based on 3% of the accepted offer price (to a minimum of £1,040) in addition the purchaser will be responsible for the Council’s reasonable legal fees circa £3,500 (subject to hours spent of sale).

Submission Of Offers

Financial Offer
The submission should clearly state the sum (exclusive of V A T) being offered to Durham County Council for the site.

The developers bid should clearly state any allowances for deductions, and how it was calculated.

The council is not bound to accept the highest offer made, or any offer, and will accept no responsibility for any costs incurred by any party in connection with their submission of an offer whether successful or not. The sum offered should clearly reflect any conditions attached and these should be clearly stated.

Offers will be reported to the Council at the earliest available date. Interested parties will be notified of the Council’s decision as soon as possible after that time.