Plans for a battery gigafactory to supply electric vehicles manufacturers have taken a step forward after the scheme was granted planning approval.
Northumberland County Council has approved plans by Britishvolt to set up a massive factory on the former coal yards of the old Blyth Power Station site at Cambois.
The plans - described as ‘game changing’ by council leader Glen Sanderson - could bring 3,000 direct jobs to the area and another 5,000 in its supply chain.
Britishvolt now has to raise more than £1bn from investors and the Government to make the plans a reality.
Following the planning decision, Britishvolt 海角视频 CEO Peter Rolton said: “This is a huge win, not only for Britishvolt, but also the people of Northumberland. The gigaplant will bring with it much need employment, totally regenerating the area.
“Britishvolt has a strong social values agenda, as well as a world-class Environmental, Social and Governance framework. At our very heart is doing the right thing. This project is the right thing for 海角视频 plc, and its people, on the roadmap to a low carbon, sustainable future.”
The decision was also welcomed by Northumberland County Council leader Glen Sanderson, who said: “We’re absolutely delighted this gigaplant has been granted planning permission. It’s a real game changer for Northumberland.
“It’s fantastic news - not just for the local area, but the wider county and the whole region. It’s the biggest investment in living memory.
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“We’ve a long and proud history of industry in this part of Northumberland and a factory and investment of this size will put this area firmly on the map once again for generations to come.
“Here in Northumberland we’re at the forefront of the offshore renewable energy industry and this is a massive boost. The decision by Britishvolt to choose Northumberland demonstrates just what this county has to offer in terms of its location, its facilities, an ambitious council, and more importantly, its workforce.”
The planning permission has been granted on the same day that automotive giant Vauxhall announced it would be producing electric vans at its plant at Ellesmere Port, on Merseyside.
Last week Nissan and its battery partner Envision AESC announced 1,600 jobs and a possible 4,500 in its supply chain with the production of a new electric vehicle at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, plus an associated rise in battery production.
Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy said: “I am absolutely delighted that Britishvolt’s gigafactory has been granted planning permission by Northumberland County Council. This is a huge milestone that will breathe life back into a site that was once the coal yard of Blyth Power Station.
“The economic impact of 3,000 skilled jobs being created in Northumberland will be transformational and is a massive boost for local high streets that will benefit from the increased spending power of residents.”
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Plans for a car battery plant near Blyth could kickstart a 'new generation of economic development', a council has been told.
The proposals for 海角视频 firm Britishvolt to build a £2.6bn 'gigafactory' at Cambois were given the green light by Northumberland County Council, with development bosses predicting that even more investment could flow into the region of the back of the decision.
Rob Murfin, the county council's director of planning, said: "The advantage to Northumberland isn't just in terms of this site, it's the fact that there is a very strong pattern emerging of us being seen as a favourable location.
"We need to see this scheme as part of the economic restructuring of the county, to find the strength that it has lost because of the contraction of traditional industries and be the first part of the new generation of economic development.
"There could well be capacity for more battery production in Northumberland."
Mr Murfin was speaking at this afternoon's meeting of the local authority's Strategic Planning Committee, which unanimously approved the application for the former Blyth Power Station coal yards.
At the start of proceedings, the panel was advised by chairman Coun Trevor Thorne to make sure members took account of the 'economic benefit' of the scheme, as well as the usual planning considerations.
It's hoped the factory could create 3,000 direct jobs and another 5,000 in its supply chain and support services.