Development of 10 hectares at the North Eastern Enterprise Zone in Sunderland will go ahead thanks to cash injection from local partners, paving the way for both new construction and supply chain jobs and £55m investment.

The Zone – known as the A19 Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles Corridor – has been awarded £5.3m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) along with £4.8m from Sunderland City Council and a £4m loan from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growing Places Fund.

When completed, the site will focus on the mass production of low carbon technology and advanced manufacturing, helping the Zone to become a world leader in the emerging market for low carbon research and development.

The planned development will lead to a site capable of accommodating about 90,000 sq m of office and factory space and create 204 temporary construction jobs. The project is also expected to indirectly create about 1,500 new jobs and draw in £55m of private sector investment.

Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said:

“Earlier this year we celebrated the completion of Vantec Europe’s £22.5m new warehouse building, which is now open for business on the A19 Enterprise Zone. It is testament to the strengths of Sunderland and its Enterprise Zone that Vantec chose this site for its largest-ever overseas project. We are working hard to attract other international investors to this important site and our city.”

In total, the Sunderland enterprise zone comprises an area of 32.5 hectares to the west of the A19 and north of the A1231.

More information on the North Eastern Enterprise zone