Updated plans to help deliver more than 5,000 jobs and attract more than £300m of development have been welcomed.
Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet and its full council meeting have (Wednesday 22 November) endorsed updates for the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).
The IAMP is proposed for an area close to the A19 and to the north of Nissan’s existing manufacturing plant and a joint project between South Tyneside and Sunderland City Councils. IAMP would cover more than 150 hectares of land with floorspace equivalent to more than 100 football pitches. It is expected to create more than 5,000 manufacturing jobs and attract more than £300m of investment.
Wednesday’s meetings saw Sunderland adopt the updates and modifications for the IAMP’s Area Action Plan (AAP) following a Planning Inspector’s Report.
The council’s Deputy Leader, Councillor Harry Trueman said:
“The discussions and adoption by the City Council are an important step to securing this landmark development.
“Investors are already showing interest in the IAMP site and it can go on to unlock more economic and job creating opportunities for the North East.”
Subject to further permissions, works could begin in 2018.
The AAP for the two councils sets down how the IAMP project needs to be developed comprehensively as a scheme and not piecemeal.
The AAP states: “The scale and national significance of the IAMP mean that it is inappropriate to allow it to come forward on a piecemeal basis, as this would undermine the IAMP AAP objectives and prejudice delivery.”
South Tyneside’s Cabinet meets on Wednesday 29 and its full council meeting examining the AAP adoption and endorsement is on Thursday 30 November.
Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said:
“IAMP is the most significant infrastructure project in this region for decades and will put us on the world stage for advanced manufacturing in the automotive industry.
“The adoption of the Area Action Plan by Sunderland represents another milestone in the planning of this development and our own Cabinet and Council will be considering the plan next week.”
Both councils have completed consultation on the IAMP plans, including a form of public inquiry known as a Public Examination.
And worked closely with the North East LEP (North East Local Enterprise Partnership), plus the areas of Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland as part of the NECA (North East Combined Authority).
IAMP has already been designated a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ by the UK Government and it has pledged £42m through the North East LEP towards infrastructure including new roads, bridges and environmental enhancements. The project will also see contributions from the two local authorities and Enterprise Zone income in the form of retained business rates.
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