Hartlepool & Darlington bid to host new AI Growth Zone
A partnership has submitted a proposal to Government to designate sites in Hartlepool and Darlington as part of a new AI Growth Zone, with local MP backing and plans centred on data centre infrastructure.
The bid names Queens Meadow Business Park in Hartlepool and land at the emerging Burtree Garden Village in Darlington. The partnership includes regional developer Hellens Group, alongside a national data centre operator and an investment firm.
The proposal sets out a two-site development with more than 450MVA of secured power capacity. The bidders said this level of capacity meets the threshold set by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology for nationally significant AI infrastructure.
Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool, sent a letter of support to Government in favour of the proposal.
"This proposal is an exciting opportunity for Hartlepool to play a leading role in the next generation of digital and technological growth. Queens Meadow is a strategically important site for our town, and this bid shows how Hartlepool can attract serious long-term investment that brings skilled jobs, new opportunities for local people, and lasting benefits for our economy. "What matters to me is that any AI Growth Zone delivers real value for our community. That means jobs for local people, strong links with Hartlepool College of Further Education, and investment that supports our ambition to be a town at the forefront of innovation and clean growth. Hartlepool has the space, the skills and the potential to make this work, and I am proud to support this bid," said Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool.
Two locations
Queens Meadow Business Park covers 160 acres and Hellens owns the site. The proposal allocates more than 110 acres for the planned development.
In Darlington, the bid incorporates part of Burtree Garden Village. The development plans describe a scheme that combines housing with employment uses. Hellens said Burtree Garden Village will feature 2,000 homes and up to 2,000,000 sq ft of employment and leisure space.
Homes England acts as Hellens' joint-venture partner on the garden village and retains an interest in Queens Meadow Business Park.
The partnership said both sites sit within the Tees Valley Combined Authority area. It also said the proposal aligns with regional priorities for smart infrastructure, low-carbon energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Heat and power
The bid identifies potential for a low-carbon district heating system that uses heat from the data centre. The partnership described this as a community benefit linked to the wider scheme.
The proposal also ties the development to local education providers. It highlights links with Teesside University, Hartlepool College of Further Education, and Darlington College.
Hellens Group Chief Executive Gavin Cordwell-Smith described the scale of the opportunity for the area in his statement.
"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to attract long-term, clean investment to the region. It brings the potential for hundreds of high-quality jobs, support for digital skills, and major economic impact for both towns," said Gavin Cordwell-Smith, Chief Executive, Hellens Group.
Policy framework
AI Growth Zones form part of a UK government initiative that sets out designated areas for AI-optimised data centres. The programme includes streamlined planning, time-limited incentives and improved access to power capacity.
The scheme includes a local government finance element. Local authorities would retain 100% of business rate growth from the zones for 25 years. The bidders said this is anticipated to be £6m to £10m per year.
The proposal frames AI Growth Zones as more than data centre clusters. It states that Government support is intended to ensure these areas become centres of skills, innovation and opportunity rather than solely hosts for large data assets.
If the Government designates the sites as part of an AI Growth Zone, the partnership said development would be expected to begin in 2028.