Plans revealed for "world class manufacturing zone" that could create 9,000 jobs

A Teesside organisation has announced that plans have been submitted for a manufacturing development which will create 9,000 jobs.

The South Tees Development Corporation has submitted plans for the site of the former SSI steelworks in Redcar, which it aims to transform into a 4.5 million sq ft manufacturing space.

The construction phase of the development would create 1,000 construction jobs during its eight-year build, with 9,000 more in permanent roles when complete.

The scheme, which is being led by Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, will see its first tenants move in as soon as 2022, and will create a “world-class manufacturing zone”.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen commented: “This is the biggest planning application in the North of England.

“We have worked tirelessly to take ownership of this site to allow us to get on with my plan for jobs, creating good quality high skilled local jobs for local workers.

“When I started CPO proceedings against SSI and the three Thai banks, I was clear that we owed it to the former steelworkers and their families to secure the site for the people of Teesside so that we could redevelop it and see jobs return to the side.

“This planning application represents a huge step forward in reaching this goal and represents a modest portion of the site, while creating many thousands of jobs, which shows why this site is so important – not just to Redcar and Cleveland but to the future success of our whole region.

“This game changing proposal represents by far the largest development announced to date for the former SSI steelworks and will see a key part of the site brought back into meaningful use.

“To give this some scale, it is more than three times the size of the new Amazon fulfilment centre that opened in Darlington earlier this year.

“This application is another crucial step forward for my plan for jobs by delivering on the overall masterplan, which we are now motoring ahead with.

“We’ve got the land, we’ve got the cash, the diggers are getting to work and we’re creating local jobs for local workers.”

Councillor Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council and South Tees Development Corporation board member, added: “This planning application has the potential to create over 9,000 highly skilled jobs for local people and achieve significant inward investment on the STDC site, which is vital for the future prosperity of the area and the region.

“The progress being made on site is great to see and especially important as we slowly emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

“There is still a long road ahead however this news is definitely another step in the right direction.”

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