1,500 jobs promised for outskirts of Hartlepool at huge 'Amazon-sized' distribution centre

A huge "Amazon-sized" distribution centre has been approved with the promise of 1,500 new jobs when complete.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Councillors voted 12-0 to rubber stamp proposals for the two million square-ft facility on the Stockton side of the Wynyard border on Friday.

It is understood Amazon has been touted as a possible new tenant for the vast four-storey logistics and distribution warehouse north of Wynyard Business Park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stockton Borough Council's planning committee heard how the huge logistics hub would create more than 1,000 full time jobs per year during its construction.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Now that the planning has been approved the fun can start and we can get on with building the facility.”Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Now that the planning has been approved the fun can start and we can get on with building the facility.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Now that the planning has been approved the fun can start and we can get on with building the facility.”

Planning officer Simon Grundy said: “It will support another 1,240 additional indirect full time jobs per annum during the build period and, once operational, will result in 1,450 direct and indirect full-time jobs for the local economy.

“That rises to 1,600 at a regional level.”

The plant will have two access roads – a newly created route for staff, and another to be used by HGVs at the A689 junction and through the existing business park.

Plans show the building will be just under 23 metres in height and will be clad in a palette of greys.

It will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The wider site will have 207 parking spaces for wagons and enough space for 20 HGVs to queue along the access road.

There will also be no fewer than 791 parking spaces and a bus interchange to accommodate a shuttle service for staff.

More than 60 objections were lodged by concerned Wynyard residents ahead of Friday’s meeting at Stockton Baptist Tabernacle.

Worry over traffic impacts and how air quality would be hit featured highly as well as the potential for more noise and litter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But planning agent Neil Westwick, for the developer Helios Properties, said the distribution centre would meet “growing national demand” and bring economic growth to the area.

After the meeting, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he was delighted the council had backed the project.

He added: “Having committed more than £5m to this project, it seemed obvious to me that we should be supporting businesses and investors who want to come to our region to create jobs and prosperity for local people.

“Now that the planning has been approved the fun can start and we can get on with building the facility.”