What Is The New Teeslink Industrial Development In Stockton-on-Tees?

Something pretty big is happening over in Stockton-on-Tees. A huge 54-acre piece of land, which has been waiting for a new purpose, is about to get a massive makeover. A company called Rula Developments has officially got the green light to kick off a major project named Teeslink. This isn't just about building a few sheds; it's a full-scale regeneration that could bring around 1,000 new jobs to the area. Imagine a space roughly the size of 30 football pitches being transformed into a bustling hub for businesses. This is a huge piece of commercial development and a significant investment in the region's future.

So, what exactly is being built?

The plan is to create a massive 775,000 square feet of space for industrial and logistics businesses. But what does that actually mean? Well, think about the journey your online shopping takes before it lands on your doorstep. It starts in a warehouse, gets sorted, packed, and sent out on lorries. That's logistics in a nutshell. This new development will provide modern, high-quality buildings—or accommodation—for companies that do exactly that.

The project has secured planning consent, which is the official permission needed from the local council before anyone can start building. It’s a bit like getting permission from your parents before you redecorate your room, but on a much, much bigger scale. This consent means Rula can get started on the initial infrastructure work straight away. That includes putting in a new access road and getting all the essential services like water and electricity connected. There's also an outline consent for the main buildings, which confirms the general plan for the high-quality warehousing is approved.

This is a huge step forward for the Teeslink site. Anthony Clitheroe, the Development Director at Rula Developments, shared his excitement:

“We are delighted to secure planning consent to develop Teeslink, working in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. This development will unlock key strategic development land to provide much needed new logistics accommodation for local businesses. We plan to start preparation and enabling works on site imminently to allow the delivery of important new infrastructure and industrial/warehouse units with high ESG credentials in line with occupier demand.”

A team effort for economic growth

This whole thing isn't just happening out of the blue. It's a real team effort, a partnership between the private company, Rula, and the local government. The Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council actually bought the land back in 2021. They used money from a special fund managed by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, designed to boost local growth. After looking at different companies, the council chose Rula to lead the development. Why? Because they have a great track record with similar projects.

Now, they're working together to spend £3 million of that grant money on the essential infrastructure needed to get the site ready for businesses to move in. Once the groundwork is done, Rula will start building the plots as companies sign up. This public-private partnership is key to driving the economic growth of the borough.

Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Councillor Lisa Evans, explained the importance of this step:
“This is the next step forward in unlocking a vital employment site in our Borough which will attract businesses and bring jobs. Eaglescliffe is already home to huge firms and employers like Tata Consumer Products Limited and Nifco. With excellent transport links nearby, in particular with the redevelopment of Eaglescliffe Station, we’re hopeful that once complete, Teeslink will secure bring in investment and boost economic growth in the Borough.”

She also highlighted why Rula was the right choice:

“Rula match our high ambitions for the site and have an impressive track record and a wealth of experience. They have demonstrated their ability to operate on similar sites across the country, including Cheshire, Doncaster and Oldham. Plus, this will be their flagship scheme in the North East, with no competing sites of their own in the region. It's yet another demonstration of Stockton-on-Tees being the economic powerhouse of the Tees Valley. We’re a business-friendly Borough and we welcome all approaches from those interested in coming to Stockton-on-Tees or who would like to find out more.”

Location, location, location

The location of this 54-acre site is a massive selling point. It’s right next to Eaglescliffe Train Station and just a mile from the A66, a major road that connects the region. This is brilliant news for logistics companies that need to move goods around the country quickly and efficiently. The ongoing improvements at the nearby Eaglescliffe Station only add to the appeal.

This prime spot makes it an attractive place for investment, providing top-tier business accommodation for new and existing companies. The whole project is a perfect example of strategic regeneration.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen also commented on the project’s progress:

"It is essential that our region has the very best business accommodation to attract new investment and support the growth of our outstanding local companies - so it's excellent to see progress on this significant project. This development will not only further regenerate an important employment location in Stockton through our funding but also complements the improvement works we are carrying out at Eaglescliffe Station to make this a growing destination for businesses."

Flexible spaces for all sorts of businesses

One of the coolest things about the Teeslink plan is how flexible it is. Businesses won't have to squeeze into a one-size-fits-all unit. Rula can create spaces tailored to their exact needs.

• Need a small workshop? They can build units starting from 3,000 sq ft.
• Are you a massive online retailer needing a giant distribution centre? They can build up to a whopping 500,000 sq ft.

This is known as ‘build to suit’ accommodation. It’s a massive plus for companies because they get a space designed perfectly for how they operate. The industrial space will be available to either buy (freehold) or rent (leasehold). Work is set to begin on the site later this month, with the first buildings expected to be ready for businesses to move into by the third quarter of 2026. This is a clear sign that Stockton-on-Tees is a very business-friendly place, ready to welcome new industrial and logistics firms. The whole regeneration has now been officially secured.