Demolition prepares the ground for next stage of IAMP development

Two derelict farm buildings are set to be demolished to pave the way for further investment at a major North East manufacturing park.

Permission has been granted for Elliscope Farm and West Moor Farm to be pulled down, subject to final approval from Natural England, which will clear land on the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, a 150-hectare site spanning Sunderland and South Tyneside. 

The buildings, which have fallen into a poor state of repair and are increasingly subject to antisocial behaviour, will be cleared later this year in a move that will enable the further development of the park, which was announced last month as the preferred location for a £450m Gigafactory.

It is the latest step in freeing up the vast IAMP estate, as the location continues to establish itself as a nationally significant advanced manufacturing base, having already secured three major developments.  Envision AESC's facility is set to be the largest yet if it is granted approval later this year, with the planning application proposing a 9GWh plant, creating 750 new green jobs and safeguarding 300 more at the company's existing plant. 

Jonathan Tew, chief executive at South Tyneside Council, said: "This is another significant milestone in bringing forward the IAMP site. Removing these derelict buildings will allow us to rapidly advance development on IAMP.

"IAMP represents a huge opportunity for South Tyneside and Sunderland, giving us a vast amount of space to develop on, creating more and better jobs for local people."

IAMP, which was expected to attract £450m of private sector investment when South Tyneside and Sunderland City Council formed their legal partnership to convince businesses to locate to the 150-hectare site, has already secured French car parts firm SNOP and Japanese headquartered Faltec.  A third building, currently being used as a Nightingale Centre, also stands on the site.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We all knew the potential of IAMP, given its proximity to Nissan and exceptional infrastructure supporting it, but our ability to rapidly transform this site from undeveloped land into a powerhouse manufacturing site has been key in IAMP's success so far. 

"We have been proactive in ensuring that the site is shovel-ready for development at every stage, and this latest demolition round is part of that effort.  We look forward to carrying on with our huge success to date in attracting investment in IAMP that ultimately benefits local people and businesses."

IAMP has been backed by the UK Government through the Local Growth Deal fund channelled via the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to deliver infrastructure improvements including new roads, bridges and environmental enhancements to support the development. The Local Growth Deal is supporting major capital investments to promote innovation, economic and skills infrastructure and sustainable transport as part of the North East Growth Deal.

To stay up to date with news from IAMP, visit https://iampnortheast.co.uk or follow @IAMPNE.