By Martin Walker
Newton Aycliffe’s MP Phil Wilson has welcomed our nearest airport’s ambitious plans to create 1,500 new jobs – and is urging the government to back it.
The Northern Echo revealed earlier today that a planned massive expansion of Durham Tees Valley airport is among the region’s bids for government regeneration cash.
The £5.9m scheme, which would take about 10 years to complete, would create 1,500 jobs with a freight and logistics operation at the ailing airport, which has seen passenger numbers collapse in recent years.
New roads and improved transport services will be built on 150 acres of land south of the airport runway.
Mr Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, said: “This is great news for the Durham Tees Valley area.
“It’s potentially 1,500 new jobs, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure the bid is a success.
“It shows Peel’s commitment to Durham Tees Valley Airport, but we must continue to encourage airlines to user the airport so we can increase the numbers of passengers going through it.”
The Northern Echo understands the land is within the Stockton Borough Council area and that it already has planning consent for aviation-related development.
As reported by the Echo this morning, the scheme has the backing of Tees Valley Unlimited Local Enterprise Partnership, the Homes and Communities Agency, together with Stockton and Darlington borough councils.
Peter Nears, the strategic planning director for airport owner Peel Group, said: “This is a very significant project, not just for the airport, but the area as a whole.
“While there are a wide range of possibilities for attracting businesses related to aviation activities, we expect that a key element in the development will be logistics services, given the proximity to the A66, leading to the A1 and the national motorway network.”
The scheme is vying with bidders from across the UK for a share of a £1bn fund set up to create jobs in areas hit hardest by public sector cuts.
The bids include proposals to establish a £40m Tees Valley Business Loan Fund to support small companies that have been refused loans by high street lenders.
It would back about 500 businesses and create or safeguard 3,000 jobs across the region.