Plans to create more than 5,000 jobs in the North East and attract more than £300m of development have moved a step closer.
At a meeting of the Council this week, the IAMP’s Joint Area Action Plan (AAP) was adopted following it being declared sound and legally compliant by an independent Planning Inspector.
IAMP – a joint project between South Tyneside and Sunderland City Councils – will be a world-class environment for high tech industries and advanced manufacturing businesses.
Cllr Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “IAMP will have a major impact on our communities, creating thousands of jobs in advanced manufacturing, automotive supply and knowledge-based industries.
“The adoption of the Area Action Plan marks a milestone in the successful delivery of the council’s vision of a truly world class business environment.
“IAMP will play a key role in transforming the fortunes of this region, and the UK as a whole.”
Sunderland’s City Council also adopted the AAP last week. Both councils have completed extensive consultation on the IAMP plans, including a form of public inquiry known as a Public Examination.
Councillor Harry Trueman, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “The decisions in South Tyneside, following ours in Sunderland last week, show how important this project is to our region.
“IAMP is about expanding the continued success of advanced manufacturing in the North East. It is an important project regionally and nationally, and there is already considerable investor interest in the site.”
Designated as a scheme of ‘national significance,’ the IAMP is proposed for an area just off the A19. A core element of the City Deal for Sunderland and South Tyneside, the project will deliver more than 5,000 highly skilled jobs.
The Government has already pledged £42m through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership towards infrastructure at IAMP 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.
The AAP sets out the broad planning framework and land use policies for the IAMP for the next 15 years and will now form part of both South Tyneside’s and Sunderland’s statutory Local Plans.
Subject to further permissions, works could begin in 2018.