Former steelworks site put in local hands

The redevelopment of the former SSI Steelworks in Redcar has moved a step closer to reality with the news that the government has sold its share of the site.

The government announced today (9 October) that the entire site is now under the full control of the local mayoral development corporation.

The steelworks went into liquidation in 2015 and the site had been managed by the government since 2016, working on behalf of the Official Receiver.

The South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) now plans to create more than 20,000 jobs with a new business park on the wider 4,500 acre site, and fulfil the Tees Valley’s vision to establish the area as a trailblazer in clean energy, low carbon and hydrogen technologies.

‘The former home of the Redcar steelworks is steeped in industrial history and, working hand in hand with the Tees Valley Mayor and the South Tees Development Corporation, we have been devising ambitious plans for the site’s transformation,’ said BEIS minister, Nabhim Zahawi.

‘As the government hands over control to local people, we have the upmost confidence in the ongoing work by the Mayor and local leaders to bring these plans to fruition – boosting the local economy, building back better and creating over 20,000 highly skilled jobs over the next two decades.’

Local government minister Luke Hall added: ‘We want to level up every area of the country by ensuring local leaders have the investment they need to deliver for their communities.

‘I am delighted that, together with the mayor, we have been able to bring up to 20,000 new, highly skilled jobs to the Teesworks Site. This is a shining example of what we can achieve through effective partnerships between central government and metro-Mayors.

‘We will continue to work closely with the mayor and the Tees Valley Combined Authority as we progress our plans to spread opportunity and prosperity across the region.’

Photo Credit – Geralt (Pixabay)