By Managing director, Andrew Dawson
Over the past 18 months, Castle has successfully transitioned into a principal contractor role, whilst maintaining our position as MEP contractor of choice.
Recognising a gap in the market, we aim to be the go-to contractor for professional, technical, financially stable and experienced project delivery.
We specialise in low volume, high value projects, that come with their own unique set of challenges. The ‘Castle Approach’ emphasises giving full attention to each project by working closely with clients to find the right solution within their budget. With in-house technical and BIM departments, we deliver a special construction experience.
This has been reinforced by our appointment to a number of high-profile projects.
Most recently as principal contractor to a new retail and trade park in the Tees Valley.
Northumberland Estates, the development and investment company, has obtained planning permission for 52,000 sq ft of retail space and a 45,000 sq ft trade park within Wynyard Business Park in Stockton-on-Tees.
The retail park is set to attract key retailers such as Starbucks and will be anchored by a 46,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s superstore. The trade park will feature seven new units, which will be occupied by a range of businesses, including Howdens, Screwfix and Doves.
Wynyard Business Park currently forms a high, landscaped, mixed-use, commercial development. One of the most prestigious business locations in the Tees Valley, it has been key in attracting new companies to the area and is currently home to over 60 businesses, employing approximately 5,000 people. The Sainsbury’s store alone is expected to create 124 jobs.
The ambitious development supports Tees Valley’s Strategic Economic Plan and the Local Industrial Strategy to deliver economic growth and job creation in the area. The first phase of development commenced in May 2024, with the site being fully operational by June 2025.
We have become one of the UK’s leading providers of all disciplines of construction, offering a wide range of high-quality engineering and contracting services covering all aspects of design, construction, mechanical, public health, renewable and electrical engineering.
After a successful tender process, we have been appointed as principal contractor to deliver the facilities at the new retail and trade park.
The project will see our teams involved in everything from the initial enabling works, statutory services, earthworks, groundworks, frame and envelope through to partial MEP services and external services including associated roads and car parks.
This is what Craig Muldoon, divisional director, Build, at Castle, had to say about the project: “Sustainability will feature heavily throughout the works. There will be significant renewable energy measures including EV charging points and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) which will store energy from solar panels and release it when demand requires. We will also be working to a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Very Good standard, to specify and measure the sustainability performance of the buildings.”
In addition, Peter Dalby, development manager at Northumberland Estates, said: “We are delighted to have obtained planning permission for the first phase of the Wynyard Retail and Trade Park. This is a key development for Northumberland Estates which will deliver consumer choice and economic growth in the region. As we move into the construction phase, we are looking forward to working with Castle to deliver the project to a high specification.”
