Developer seeks big sheds consent at IAMP
Town End Farm Partnership has submitted plans for up to 860,000 sq ft of industrial space at Sunderland’s International Advanced Manufacturing Park.
Advised by regional consultancy Hedley Planning, the developer submitted a screening and scoping request last year, in line with Environmental Impact Assessment regulations.
Looking to take forward a plot on the southern development area within IAMP, the Town End team explored the possibility of up to 1.1m sq ft.
The total floorspace proposed for the scheme is some way short of that, with plans now mapped out for units of 185,287 sq ft, 157,096 sq ft and a 528,316 sq ft super-shed.
The site is located to the north of Nissan and east of the A1290 in an area that is currently seeing a buzz of activity, with plans approved this week for AESC to develop 2.1m sq ft in its next electric vehicle battery giga-factory.
Established to support the North East’s automotive and advanced manufacturing industry, and spanning 370 acres, the wider IAMP boundary was originally envisaged to provide nearly 8,000 jobs. Straddling administrative boundaries, it is overseen jointly by Sunderland and South Tyneside councils,
Hedley said that the proposed warehouses will have 20m eaves heights, offer ground floor office accommodation, car and HGV parking facilities and associated yard space.
Plans for landscaping include new trees, hedges and woodland to be planted along the perimeter to the northern and eastern edges.
Hedley’s associate director Alex Franklin said: “IAMP represents an immense opportunity to support the growth of the North East’s internationally recognised automotive and advanced manufacturing industry.
“It’s a fantastic strategic location with first-class transport links, which any ambitious industrial business would benefit from as an integral part of their roadmap to success and expansion.
“The delivery of this latest piece of work signals continued strength in this sector for Hedley Planning, coming as demand across the North East for good quality industrial space remains high. New units in IAMP and other locations, which benefit from investment in good planning, design and modern construction materials, are constantly well sought after and in demand.”
Franklin’s words are well founded: while giga-factory projects have struggled to gain traction elsewhere in the UK – after years in the pipeline, Tata’s £4bn Somerset plant has only this summer seen a contractor appointed – the strength of Nissan’s LEAF production programme as anchor has seen the supply chain flourish locally since the first AESC plant opened a decade ago.
Peter Razaq, managing director at Town End Farm Partnership, added: “This is a terrific scheme designed to meet the strong demand for high quality industrial units in important North East locations and support the economic growth of local businesses.”
Town End is looking to develop on the southern parcel at IAMP. Credit: via Edgy PR
