£300m IAMP plans officially endorsed

Plans to create more than 5,000 jobs in the North East and attract more than £300m of development have moved a step closer after the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) initiative was officially endorsed.IAMP is a joint project between South Tyneside and Sunderland city councils and is designed to be a world-class environment for high tech industries and advanced manufacturing businesses.Proposed for an area just off the A19, the government has already pledged £42m through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership towards infrastructure at the site including new roads, bridges and environmental enhancements.At a South Tyneside Council meeting, the IAMP’s Joint Area Action Plan (AAP) was formally adopted following it being declared “sound and legally compliant” by an independent planning inspector.Sunderland City Council has also adopted the AAP. Both authorities have now completed extensive consultation on the IAMP plans, including a form of public inquiry.Subject to further permissions, work on the project could begin in 2018.