Former SSI site development could create more than 9000 jobs for Teesside

The South Tees Development Corporation has (July 10) submitted plans for a 4.5million sq ft of state-of-the-art manufacturing space on the site of the former SSI steelworks in Redcar, which could create more than 9000 jobs.

The huge scheme would see more than 430 acres of land alongside the River Tees remediated and developed into a world-class manufacturing zone, which could welcome its first tenants as soon as 2022.

The construction phase of the development would create 1000 construction jobs during its eight-year build, with 9000 more in permanent roles when complete.

The plans come just three months after Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen succeeded in his bid to secure the former SSI steelworks through a Compulsory Purchase Order.

Mayor Houchen said: “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 steelworks and will see a key part of the site brought back into meaningful use. To give this some scale, it is more than three times the size of the new Amazon fulfilment centre that opened in Darlington earlier this year.”

Jacob Young, MP for Redcar and South Tees Development Corporation board member, added: “The sheer scale and ambition of this application is testament to the confidence and forward-thinking of the Tees Valley Mayor and the South Tees Development Corporation.

“Ultimately this application means thousands of real jobs for local people. This isn’t just talk, this is happening – and at pace.

“And when you consider that this application, large as it is, only represents around a tenth of the total space available on the former steel works. It just goes to show the depth of our ambitions beyond this parcel of land.”

Councillor Mary Lanigan, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council and South Tees Development Corporation Board member, said: “This planning application has the potential to create over 9000 highly skilled jobs for local people and achieve significant inward investment on the STDC site, which is vital for the future prosperity of the area and the region.

“The progress being made on site is great to see and especially important as we slowly emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic. There is still a long road ahead however this news is definitely another step in the right direction.”