Member Article

Sunderland cuts red tape to attract investors

Gateshead College’s new eco-vehicle research and development centre is the first to win approval under a new planning process aiming to encourage investment in Sunderland.

The International Centre for Low Carbon Vehicle Development took advantage of the relaxation of regulations for certain types of businesses setting up or expanding in two of Wearside’s three sites in the Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) North East Enterprise Zone.

Called a Local Development Order (LDO), the process aims to attract firms in the low carbon vehicle development and advanced manufacturing sectors by cutting planning red tape.

Suitable developments are not charged a planning fee, and planners at Sunderland City Council have pledged to make a decision within 28 days, rather than the usual 13 weeks.

Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council said: “Introducing the LDO is a great incentive for new and existing businesses considering Sunderland as a location.

“It provides an extra reason for investors to look at our low carbon Enterprise Zones at the Turbine Park and Vehicle Test Centre, where there are already incentives in place.”

The new Gateshead College development is based in Nissan’s former Design Centre, next to the Nissan Sunderland plant and the college’s Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation (SASMI). The area is part of the A19 Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Enterprise Zone.

Jo Morrissey, programme manager for the new centre, said: “Using the LDO has made a real difference to how quickly we were able get things moving with our new R&D Centre.

“The whole process was much faster and easier than the usual planning procedures, and means we can step up our efforts to put the North East at the forefront of low-carbon vehicle technology.

“This growing sector has the potential to be a major industry for the region and our new centre will play a key part in developing the greener vehicles of the future.”

The centre, which is set to open next year, will provide space for businesses involved in low carbon vehicle research, product development and skills training.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Karen Dent .