Two council leaders in the North East have backed plans for a major expansion of a battery factory next to the Nissan plant in Sunderland.
A planning application from Envision AESC has been backed by Sunderland Council leader Graeme Miller and his South Tyneside counterpart Tracey Dixon.
The two councils are hosting the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP), which aims to support developments like the Envision plan, which is part of a £1bn plan with Nissan to create 1,600 new jobs in electric vehicle and battery production.
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Coun Tracey Dixon said: “This is a gamechanging development, part of a wider plan that will create green jobs, producing green products, and powering green cars. It’s a statement of this area’s credentials in low carbon and of our commitment to creating a more sustainable economy and we’re delighted to see plans move forward so rapidly after it was first announced.
“We’re focused as a council on attracting investment that will give our communities and our businesses opportunities – that will bolster South Tyneside. This is a huge moment for IAMP, and for the borough which will see huge benefits from this should it go ahead.”
Coun Miller added: “Our partnership at IAMP is one that we have always been confident would deliver for our residents, and it did that very quickly with the arrival of SNOP and Faltec in quick succession.
“Envisions plans are a significant step in our journey towards carbon neutrality and our focus in Sunderland on creating a diverse economy where everyone can access high value job opportunities.
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"We look forward to working with them as they move forward with their plans, and to ensuring communities in Sunderland and South Tyneside are able to access the opportunities this gigafactory unlocks.”
If approved, construction on the gigafactory would begin next year with the aim of opening in 2024.
Envision’s existing plant has been supplying batteries to Nissan since 2012, having been set up as a joint venture by the Japanese automotive giant before being sold in 2019.