Why isn't Milburngate ready yet?

Promising to transform the former site of Milburngate Building, the Milburngate project has instead been mired in delays and controversy. As one of the North East's most ambitious regeneration projects in recent times, why has Milburngate faced such unexpected hurdles?

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Timeline of key events

• The local impact

• What have local MPs said?

• What the next steps should be

• Looking forward

Introduction

The Milburngate development in Durham is one of the most significant regeneration projects in the North East. A transformative venture for the city, it is a £85 million project and the second phase of the Durham Riverside Renewal plan.

It includes luxury apartments, offices, bars, restaurants, and a boutique cinema, boosting the historic city centre’s appeal and vitality. According to the project announcement, it would create more than 1,000 full-time jobs and 650 construction jobs.

Initially scheduled for a late 2022 launch, the project has encountered numerous public delays and concerns about who is responsible for its completion.

From the main contractor Tolent entering administration in early 2023 to disputes over safety issues, the path to completion has been anything but smooth.

Following Tolent's collapse, a technical review uncovered significant safety concerns, including the incorrect thickness of ‘intumescent’ fire-proofing paint applied on steel sections of the complex. This type of paint expands many times its original size to delay the impact of fire.

Criticisms from high-profile tenants like BrewDog's CEO, coupled with a lack of public engagement from local political figures, have further mired the project in controversy, leaving residents and future tenants in a state of uncertainty.

So, where is the Milburngate project now, and what are the plans to bring it to fruition? We tried to find out.

To begin with, it’s important to understand the timeline of developments.

Timeline of key events

• 2016: The initial plans for the Milburngate development, aimed at transforming a key area of Durham City, were unveiled. (source)

• 2017: Arlington Real Estate and the Richardson family (Arlington Richardson) acquired the project site, laying the critical groundwork for the development. (source)

• 2019: Construction commenced following the securing of substantial funding from LaSalle Investment Management, marking a significant milestone for the prime location development. (source)

• 2022: BrewDog, Everyman Cinema and other tenants prepare to move into the completed spaces. However, delays emerge due to construction and regulatory challenges, pushing back the opening dates. (source)

• Early 2023: The main contractor, Tolent, enters into administration, causing significant delay, forcing the project into a standstill and no clear timeline for completion. (source)

• April 2023: The last update from the official Milburngate website announces The Botanist will be opening at the site. (source)

• Mid-2023: Following Tolent’s collapse, the responsibility for completing the project fell to Arlington Richardson. They found fire-proofing paint was improperly applied, requiring resolution before resuming work. (source)

• Late 2023: BrewDog's CEO, James Watt, publicly criticises Durham County Council for the delays, attributing the setbacks to bureaucratic inefficiencies. The council responds by clarifying the responsibility for the site's completion lies with the developers, not the council. (source)

• March 2024: The Northern Echo reports that the development is at a standstill due to ongoing disputes between Durham County Council and Arlington Richardson. The key issue is the responsibility for resolving certain regulatory and safety issues. (source)

• May 2024: Durham County Council's Cabinet plans to hold a private meeting to discuss the Milburngate development to resolve ongoing issues with the project's completion. The press and public were excluded from the meeting. (source)

The local impact

The Milburngate development was meant to be part of Durham’s economic and social revitalisation so the delay in completion has profound implications for the local community.

The ongoing uncertainties surrounding the project have stymied the creation of over 1,000 full-time jobs and also dampened the potential surge in local economic activity that these new jobs would support.

Local businesses, especially those in the retail and service sectors, anticipated increased footfall and revenue from the influx of residents and professionals occupying the luxury apartments and offices.

Moreover, the aesthetic and functional enhancements to the city’s historic centre are now on hold, affecting community morale and the attractiveness of Durham as a business and leisure destination.

This stagnation leaves residents and future tenants in limbo, fostering a climate of frustration and scepticism about future development projects within the community.

What have local MPs said?

Notably, the MP for Durham City, Mary Kelly Foy MP, has not publicly commented on the Milburngate development on her social media channels, which has been a focal point of local and regional discourse.

This absence is unusual given her typically vocal stance on local issues. While the reasons for this absence of public engagement are not clear, it raises questions about political oversight and involvement in major developmental projects that significantly impact the community.

What the next steps should be

As the project remains paused, several key steps are key to define the trajectory and how to move forward:

1. Council decisions: The private meeting by Durham County Council's Cabinet should focus on urgent regulatory and safety issues impeding progress. Specific outcomes, such as revised timelines and additional funding allocations, must be transparently communicated to instil public trust.

2. Developer actions: Arlington Richardson must prioritise correcting the fire-proofing paint application and address any other identified deficiencies. A timeline for these actions, alongside expected completion dates, should be publicly shared to demonstrate commitment to safety and quality.

3. Political engagement: Local politicians, especially MPs like Mary Kelly Foy, should increase their visibility on this project by facilitating public discussions and advocating for transparency. This could include monthly briefings on the project's status and any governmental hurdles being addressed.

4. Community involvement: The project's impact necessitates direct community feedback channels. Regular community forums and feedback surveys should be established, allowing stakeholders to voice concerns and contribute ideas directly influencing project execution.

5. Continual updates: Provide consistent detailed updates via local media, the website, and social media. These updates should include progress made, challenges faced, and steps being taken to overcome them.

By addressing these areas and laying down a framework for more resilient and responsive urban development, the Milburngate project can regain momentum and continue towards its goal of transforming Durham's cityscape.

Looking forward. Next steps for Milburngate

Despite the delays and issues, we remain optimistic about the Milburngate completion and the benefits it promises. This development is crucial for enhancing the community and boosting the local economy.

With the continued efforts of everyone involved, from the council to every resident, we look forward to seeing Milburngate reach its full potential, bringing prosperity to the area.

Let’s remain engaged, supportive, and optimistic as we move forward, ready to reap the benefits that Milburngate will undoubtedly provide.

Durham County Council, Arlington Richardson and Mary Kelly Foy MP were all contacted for comment but did not respond by the time of publication.