£23m Teesside Airport industrial park deal that could create 4,000 jobs gets the go-ahead

Ben Houchen at Teesside International Airport.

The £200m development, which will be built on the 270-acres of land on the south side of the airport, will see the creation of 3.4 million square feet of logistic, manufacturing and commercial space over the next 10 years in a joint venture with the private sector.

Once complete the development has the potential to create 4,400 jobs and provide £3m a year to reinvest back into the airport.

The initial £23.6m will provide critical infrastructure to enable the wider development, including connections to the main utilities and providing access from the A67.

Mr Houchen’s deal to buy Teesside International Airport included 817 acres of land and presented significant opportunities for property development, inward investment and the creation of new jobs.

He said: “This investment is a major step forward for our airport. I’ve always said it isn’t just about holiday flights. For our airport to be truly successful and sustainable appropriate development around the site is needed.

“This announcement is a huge step forward in achieving this.

“Not only does this investment unlock £200m in private sector development it will also lead to the creation of thousands of good-quality well-paid jobs for local people.”

He added: “Once up and running, all money made from this development will be put back into the airport to help it grow and attract new flights and not a single house will be built.

“Teesside International is a major economic driver and job creator and since bringing our airport back into public ownership and saving it from closure a huge number of businesses have already approached us wanting to setup at the airport. This development will provide the high-quality facilities they need to thrive and boost our economy.

“Make no mistake, Teesside is on the up and this is another huge boost for our airport just before Christmas in what has been a brilliant year where so much progress has been made. I expect to see even more exciting progress in 2020!”