Major redevelopment plans revealed for former steelworks

The South Tees Development Corporation has submitted game-changing plans for a 400,000m² state-of-the-art manufacturing space on the site of the former SSI steelworks in Redcar, which will create 9,000 jobs.

The huge scheme, led by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen (pictured left), would see more than 430 acres of land alongside the River Tees remediated and developed into a world-class manufacturing zone that could welcome its first tenants as soon as 2022.

The construction phase of the development would create 1,000 construction jobs during its eight-year build, with 9,000 more in permanent roles when complete, significantly boosting the regional economy for the long-term.

The transformational plans come just three months after Mayor Houchen succeeded in his bid to secure the former SSI steelworks through a successful compulsory purchase order.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is the biggest planning application in the North of England. 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 site.

“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.

Councillor Mary Lanigan (pictured right), Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council and South Tees Development Corporation Board member, said: “This planning application has the potential to create over 9,000 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.”