Partner Article

Plans for the Swan Hunter site continue

The North Bank of the River Tyne is at the heart of the regeneration plans not just for North Tyneside, but the North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership. There is a huge amount of interest – both nationally and locally in the North Bank and the Swan Hunter site in Wallsend.

It is vital that we get this right, and to do so means it falls upon us to work with the right people with the right skills and expertise. This is why North Tyneside Council is now actively seeking a developer partner for the Swan Hunter site in Wallsend.

We have placed a formal notice in the EU Journal to canvas interest from individual developers or a consortium willing to lead on the future growth of this prime site; recognised by Government as a key strategic location for the offshore manufacturing industry.

We are hosting a day on June 7thfor interested parties to share information on the future role of the developer partner, in advance of a formal procurement process for a package that could be worth £30m-£50m.

Interest is huge in the site with many businesses lined-up to take advantage of the benefits of being located at Swans. With partners, the Council has developed a master plan for the site to accommodate known interest in the site as well as speculative developments as yet unknown.

The site is located close to the Learning Village, the second phase of which is underway and is high on the agenda both for the Council and businesses interested in the site.

Swans is also one of the North Eastern LEP Enterprise Zone sites, along with the Walker site in Newcastle and the North Port of Tyne Dock in close proximity. This presents a huge opportunity for us to create a critical mass along the North Bank.

Enterprise Zone status allows us to offer five year’s business rate relief along with a simplified planning scheme. But in addition to that, we have also been recognised by Government as one of only five Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering (CORE). These are partnerships between local and central Government as well as LEPs which will ensure that businesses keen to invest in manufacturing get the most comprehensive support they can.

The plans we have and the packages of support available demonstrate the priority we have for this site and how it can and will produce high-quality jobs and training, thriving industries and a world-leading hub for offshore marine renewables, which will be of benefit to North Tyneside and beyond.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mrs Linda Arkley .