A FLAGSHIP design and build project by Carlisle based Northern Developments is approaching the finish line.

The developer has been working on the multi-million pound M-Sport Evaluation Centre.

M-Sport is a global motorsport business, based on the Dovenby Hall Estate near Cockermouth and is provides engineering expertise to, for example, the Ford rally team.

The project was dealt with in two phases, with the first involving the removal of 200,000 tonnes of earth for the 2.5km car test track. 

In May 2019 work started on the second, an 111,000sq ft production facility. 

Eddie Ward, Northern Development’s commercial manager said, “We have worked in deep collaboration with the client on the Project for eleven years, to ensure that we delivered a solution to meet their business needs. 

"At the early stages this involved the building element of the project evolving in numerous forms and growing significantly”.

The project has also been recognised in the North West Regional Construction Awards, as a finalist as sub-regional project of the year for Cumbria. 

The second phase was made possible with investment from the UK Government’s Regional Growth Fund as well as investment provided by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.

M-Sport managing director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: "These are particularly challenging times for so many businesses, but once the evaluation centre is up and running, I’m confident that we can come out the other side and continue to provide for Cumbria.”

Commercial manager for Northern Developments, Eddie Ward, said: "The client’s commitment to the local economy is unwavering and we are proud to be able to facilitate such ambitious aspirations in challenging times.”