Tyne’s last shipyard to fight residential planning application which "threatens hundreds of local jobs”

A&P Tyne, the last remaining shipyard in operation on the River Tyne, is preparing to “fight” the last stages of a residential planning application, which if successful, could jeopardise the future of hundreds of local jobs.

The proposed development of 448 residential units has been earmarked on the former Hawthorn Leslie Shipyard, land categorised by South Tyneside as industrial, which is adjacent to A&P Tyne. The final hearing of the planning application will be heard by South Tyneside Planning Committee on Monday September 5.

A&P Tyne is a 24/7 operation, providing services and support for the Ministry of Defence and the seaborne asset community. The business provides over 200 jobs directly and includes a growing apprenticeship programme – which form part of our plans to continue to operate as the last remaining shipyard on the river.

David McGinley, group chief executive officer, commented: “As one the region’s largest employers, A&P Tyne delivers significant economic benefits to the North East economy. However, our ability to drive economic value to the region is dependent on our ability to deliver our projects.

“A&P Tyne is an industrial business, with our workforce working around the clock to deliver critical projects on behalf of the MoD and the Seaborne asset community.

“The planned location is not fit for residential use and future residents of the proposed development would be severely impacted by the nature of our work and the noise generated on site.

“We are extremely concerned that if it goes ahead A&P Tyne would be faced with ongoing conflicts around existing shipyard operations and the impact on future residents, which would lead to restrictions on our business operations.”

In addition to employing a workforce of over 200 employees, A&P Tyne also supports a network of over 200 subcontractors, who in turn underpin thousands of jobs across the region. A&P Tyne has injected over £120m into the supply chain over the last three years alone, 40 per cent of which is spent in the North East.

David continued: “Our ability to secure future contracts will underpin the growth of our business on the Tyne, enabling us to sustain our apprenticeship scheme and secure the future of the North East’s shipbuilding heritage.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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