1,600 North East jobs on the horizon as £60m business park takes shape

A North East business park that is expected to create 1,600 jobs is set to start taking shape.

The first of ten new industrial units at the £60m Hillthorn Business Park site in Washington have been approved by Sunderland’s planning committee this week.

The Legal & General-backed development is part of a two-phased plan to deliver 620,000 sq ft of industrial and advanced manufacturing space close to the nearby Nissan facility.

Work is expected to start on the first seven buildings to the west of the 25-hectare site in a matter of weeks, with completion of the project expected by 2023.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “We’re delighted to see plans for a site that has huge job-creating potential moving forward.

“Sunderland has a deserved reputation for excellence in advanced manufacturing and logistics, and we’re sure these spaces will quickly attract occupiers to create more and better jobs for local people.”