North East manufacturing park set to create 7,000 jobs takes step forward

A North East development set to create thousands of jobs has moved forward with the commencement of demolition.

Ground is set to be cleared this week in Washington to advance the next stage of the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).

The work will see the demolition of a row of empty properties, allowing future phases of the 150-hectare manufacturing park – which spans across land in Sunderland and South Tyneside – to progress.

The first phase of IAMP will see 1,650,000 sq ft of manufacturing space unlocked and will support around 7,000 jobs that the overall development is set to create within the region.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, commented: “IAMP is an immense site, both in respect of the area it covers as well as its potential to drive the economic growth of the city and wider region, so unlocking it is a cornerstone of our vision to create more high value jobs for local people in and around Sunderland.

“Along with a major programme of infrastructure works that were carried out by Esh at the end of last year, taking this latest step allows us to prepare the ground for more investment, ensuring that IAMP is a shovel-ready site that can very quickly deliver the high-quality accommodation that manufacturers are looking for.”

Leader of South Tyneside Council, Cllr Tracey Dixon, commented: “IAMP is progressing quickly and the way is being paved for more developments on this nationally significant site that is already home to some powerhouse manufacturers.

“Both the infrastructure works led by Esh and this latest programme of work mean that we will be able to progress with further development on IAMP at pace – and that we unlock additional parts of the site that we can offer to potential investors.”