MORE than 4,000 new jobs could be created as part of plans to build a new logistics and manufacturing park at Teesside International Airport.
The development, which would be built on the 270-acres of land on the southside of the airport, will see 3.4 million square feet of logistic, manufacturing and commercial space being built, providing opportunities for more than £200m of inward investment and the creation of 4,400 jobs.
Previous master-planning for the land identified the opportunity to develop it as a major business park, providing inward investment opportunities for aviation and non-aviation related businesses.
This proposal is to enable the upfront infrastructure to be constructed and enter into a joint venture partnership with the private sector to bring forward the logistics and manufacturing park development.
Mayor Houchen’s deal to buy Teesside International Airport included 817 acres of land and presented significant opportunities for property development, inward investment and the creation of new jobs. The southside land, comprising 270 acres and running parallel to the runway, is by far the largest area for potential development.
If the local authority leaders give the green light for the plans on Friday, an initial £23.6m investment will be made in the airport to deliver the infrastructure and road required to unlock the land for the new development.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’ve always said our airport isn’t just about flights to the Costa del Sol. The airport is a major economic driver and job creator. Since bringing our airport back into public ownership and saving it from closure a number of businesses have already approached us wanting to setup at the airport.
“If approved the funding will allow us to unlock the southside of the airport – a space which has huge potential for businesses of all sectors, not just aviation, and the creation of 4,400 good quality, well paid, high skilled jobs.
“Since January we’ve taken back control of our airport, appointed a brilliant new operator, brought back the Teesside International brand, seen the return of holiday flights for the first time in five years, the first flights to Spain in seven years, and the best KLM flight numbers to Amsterdam for 14 years.
“Getting the ball rolling on the southside development on Friday will be the perfect end to a brilliant year for our airport. We are making great progress on our 10-year rescue plan and we can look forward to many more exciting opportunities in 2020.”
Mayor Houchen’s 10-year rescue plan includes commitments to increase passenger numbers to 1.4million, secure a low-cost carrier by 2022, and drive the creation of thousands of new jobs.
