'Biggest planning application in the North' unveiled by Tees Valley Mayor aims to create 9,000 jobs for region

The South Tees Development Corporation has submitted a planning application for 430 acres south of the River Tees, including part of the former SSI steelworks site at Redcar, to develop it into a ‘world class’ manufacturing zone.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen described it as the biggest planning application in the North of England.

Those behind the plans say 1,000 construction jobs would be created during its eight-year build, with 9,000 more permanent roles when complete.

The planning application comes three months after Mayor Houchen was successful in securing the former SSI steelworks through a Compulsory purchase Order.

He said: “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.

“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."

Around 3,000 jobs were lost as a result of the SSI plant’s closure in September 2015.

The South Tees Development Corporation was the first Mayoral Development Corporation to be set up outside of Greater London to promote the economic growth and commercial development of Tees Valley by converting assets in the South Tees area.

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