Plans submitted for West Hartford Park

A Northumberland-based commercial and industrial development is moving a step closer, with plans submitted for a large-scale employment site designed to attract investment, support clean energy growth and create thousands of jobs.

Arlington Real Estate, in partnership with Homes England, has lodged an outline planning application for West Hartford Park, a large-scale commercial and industrial scheme on the edge of Cramlington. 

Spanning 126 acres, the masterplan proposes more than one million sq ft of industrial, manufacturing and logistics space, making it the largest remaining strategic employment site in Northumberland.

Located close to the Port of Blyth, the development is intended to support the port’s expansion and strengthen South East Northumberland’s position as a centre for offshore and renewable energy, clean technology and advanced manufacturing. 

The scheme also aligns with national ambitions linked to emerging sectors, including the recently announced AI Growth Zones.

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and cabinet member for business, growth and regeneration, said: “This is very welcome news for our largest remaining employment site in the current local plan.

“Making maximum use of the West Hartford site is incredibly important to our ongoing drive to bring further investment and job opportunities into Northumberland.”

West Hartford Park forms part of the Energy Central Partnership, with the Port of Blyth working alongside Arlington and Homes England to maximise economic impact and attract national and international occupiers. 

Strong interest has already been recorded from large-scale businesses ahead of a formal marketing launch planned for early 2026.

If delivered, bosses say the scheme will be a “catalyst for further economic growth,” creating around 2000 jobs and generating more than £400 million of investment for the North East economy 

Plans include flexible B2 and B8 units ranging from approximately 174,000 sq ft to more than 530,000 sq ft, available on both freehold and leasehold terms, alongside office space, ancillary retail and education and innovation facilities, supported by modern infrastructure and significant power capacity.

Designed with sustainability at its core, more than a third of the site will be dedicated to green and open space, creating a wellbeing-focused business park environment connected to established industrial and logistics clusters nearby.

Dean Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, added: “Submitting the planning application marks an important milestone in unlocking the full potential of West Hartford Park. 

“This is the only site in the region capable of delivering development at this scale, in a location that has the power, infrastructure and global connectivity that large occupiers require.

“Collaboration with the Port of Blyth means this project will directly support the growth of the offshore and renewable energy sector, as well as advanced manufacturing, logistics and AI sectors, bringing jobs, investment and long-term economic value to Northumberland and the wider North East.

“There is already strong interest from major national and international businesses, and we believe West Hartford Park will become a significant commercial location not only for the region, but for the UK.”

Martin Lawlor OBE, chief executive of the Port of Blyth, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership to help develop West Hartford Park. 

“Once approved, the site will not only provide important additional capacity for port-related development but will also be a catalyst for further economic growth across the region.”

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