Plans have been submitted to expand Prestwick Business Park, close to Newcastle Airport, in a move aimed at supporting jobs-led growth and attracting further investment into the local economy.
The Wilson family, who own and manage the site, have lodged a first-phase planning application with Northumberland County Council. The submission has been prepared in partnership with Rural Solutions, a leading multi-disciplinary practice specialising in rural planning, architecture and landscape design.
The plans form part of long-term proposals to expand the business park, which was first established in 2005, when former agricultural buildings were converted and redeveloped into high-quality office accommodation.
The existing office units were built using reclaimed Northumbrian stone, with materials from the original farm buildings reused on site, while slates for the feature roofs were sourced from La Sagesse School in Newcastle.
Today, Prestwick Business Park supports a thriving community of small and medium-sized businesses and has been fully occupied for some time. Working with Northumberland County Council, a 2.5ha allocation to add additional employment space was confirmed in the Northumberland Local Plan, adopted in 2022.
The newly submitted planning application represents the first stage in delivering this allocation, creating new jobs and prosperity in the local area. Prepared by consultancy Rural Solutions, which also supported the original development in 2005, the application seeks consent for a new office building with a gross internal floor area of approximately 680 square metres.
The proposed building design draws inspiration from the existing business park and contemporary architecture, incorporating local stone, metal roofing, timber louvres, photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps. Additional landscaping and car parking are also proposed as part of the scheme.
The Design and Access Statement submitted by Rural Solutions states:
“The elevations incorporate glazing which is paired with timber louvres to provide the necessary solar shading whilst creating facades that make the most of the views and offering light-filled spaces.”
Subject to approval from Northumberland County Council for this first application to deliver the allocated site, it is intended that construction work will start in the near future. Further planning applications are anticipated in the coming years to complete development across the wider 2.5-hectare site.
The Wilson family said:
“Having developed Prestwick Business Park, we have been delighted by its success in attracting businesses of all kinds and helping them to flourish and grow whilst based here. With demand for our offices continuing and our current units fully let, we are pleased that we can now bring forward proposals to expand the business park and add to our occupier community.”
James Ellis, Planning Director at Rural Solutions, added:
“The exciting proposals from the Wilson family respond to the positive approach taken by Northumberland County Council in allocating land for the expansion of the existing business park. The sustainable designs will create space for new jobs and businesses in close proximity to Newcastle Airport, Ponteland and Prestwick village. We look forward to working with the Council as the application moves forward to a decision.”
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