Sunderland advanced manufacturing park scheme confirmed as NSIP
Communities Secretary Greg Clark and the Planning Inspectorate have confirmed that ambitious proposals for a so-called “International Advanced Manufacturing Plant“ near Sunderland in north east England can be handled under the Planning Act 2008 regime for nationally significant infrastructure projects.
The scheme is earmarked for 150 hectares of land to the north of the existing Nissan car plant to the west of the A19 and the south of the A184. Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council are working in partnership to deliver the scheme
The project is the first ‘business or commercial project’, where the uses include industrial, storage or distribution, office and research and development floor space, to be designated under the NSIP consenting regime since the range of qualifying schemes was expanded in 2013.
The only other business or commercial project to be permitted to use the regime to date is the proposed London Paramount entertainment resort in north Kent.
Global engineering, design and planning consultancy Arup is responsible for the preparation of an Area Action Plan for the site to set the planning policy framework and to secure consent for the development. Arup is also advising on master planning and environmental impact assessment. The Arup team includes Urbed, BNP Paribas, legal firm Pinsent Masons and communications specialist Local Dialogue.
Clark’s decision letter said the proposal “would be likely to have a significant economic impact, be important in driving growth in the economy and would have an impact on an area wider than a single local authority area… the substantial size of the proposal is relevant to my decision that this project is of national significance”.
The SoS added that the scheme “would benefit from the single authorisation process offered by the Planning Act 2008 regime.”
Roger Milne
Planning Portal Blog 