Topsoil donation helps sensory garden grow

A North East property development company is helping to create a new outdoor learning and wellbeing space for students at a County Durham technical college.

Merchant Park Developments has donated eight tonnes of topsoil to support a sensory garden and allotment project at UTC South Durham, based on Aycliffe Business Park.

The contribution comes as works continue nearby at Merchant Park, where the firm’s contractor, Hall Construction, is delivering development activity on Millennium Way.

Adrian Goodall, director at Merchant Park Developments, said: "This is a great opportunity to help support UTC with their exciting sensory garden and allotment project. 

“Our local works have allowed us to provide the foundations for this sensory garden and allotment. 

“Seeing UTC Durham create a space that builds confidence and prepares SEN students for the world of work is inspiring. 

“We are proud to play a small part in their future success and support the holistic wellbeing of the young people in our community.

“Our relationship with UTC came about on the back of our involvement with the development of the Hitachi site at Aycliffe Business Park which brought over 2000 jobs to the area and continues with our latest development Merchant Park on Millennium Way. 

“We recognise the importance of securing training and education opportunities for the next generation, and this latest project is another great way to invest in the future generation.

Geoff Hunton, director at Merchant Park Developments, added: “We’ve always been a keen supporter of the local community and this forms part of Merchant Park’s strategy to encourage education and training projects. 

“The UTC plays an important role in nurturing talent to enhance our region’s manufacturing capability and their continued collaboration with large engineering companies like Hitachi Rail Europe provides students with practical work experience to support their studies. 

“This is something we’re proud to have been involved with bringing Hitachi to the region over ten years ago which acted as a catalyst for further developments on Aycliffe Business Park including the construction of the UTC.”

The topsoil will be used to fill four large planters designed and built by students in partnership with environmental charity Groundwork, marking a key step forward for the project.

UTC South Durham developed the initiative to provide students with a practical environment in which to build confidence, responsibility and workplace-ready skills.

Designed around sustainability and wellbeing, the garden will feature fruit and vegetable growing areas, a wildflower meadow and a sensory herb garden. 

The space is intended to support teamwork, communication and emotional wellbeing while offering hands-on learning opportunities.

Lyndsey Parker, assistant SENCO at UTC South Durham, added: “We wanted to create a sensory wellbeing garden that could be a space for our students to feel calm, supported, and able to access what they need in the moment. 

“A place where they can step away from the pressures of the school day and just be themselves.

“For many of our pupils, particularly in Years 10 and 11, the increasing academic demands can feel overwhelming at times. 

“Having a space like this allows them to pause, regulate, and reset without expectation. 

“It becomes an outlet - whether that’s for quiet reflection, connecting with nature, spending time with a trusted adult, or simply having the freedom to switch off.

“Beyond individual support, the garden will also benefit our wider school community by encouraging inclusion, connection, and a shared sense of pride in something meaningful and sustainable. 

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of six bulk bags of topsoil, which has helped make this vision a reality. 

“Support like this plays a vital role in bringing the space to life for our young people. 

“It will make a lasting difference to the wellbeing of our students, both now and in the future.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.