Transport hub plan to support steelmaking approved

The new transport hub will be built to the south of the existing Lackenby works

A new transport hub designed to support a freeport site has been given the green light by councillors.

The hub is set to be built on derelict land at Lackenby at the Teesworks site, after outline planing permission was approved by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

It is expected to be built before the planned arrival of British Steel's electric arc steelmaking facility, which has already been given planning permission.

Chris Musgrave, Teesworks' chairman, said: "This complex is a key part of our wider masterplan for Teesworks and will offer vital facilities for tenants and their workers."

Mr Musgrave said securing the planning permission for the hub would allow the industrial site to meet the needs of British Steel and other companies who were expected to move onto the site.

The transport hub will primarily be used by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and will contain about 150 parking spaces for them, along with more than 200 car parking spaces.

There will also be an amenity block containing shower and toilet facilities, a hydrogen refuelling station, gatehouses and bus stops.

'Regenerate'

A report for members of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee said detailed layouts and designs were not yet available for all the elements of the transport hub.

The impacts of any structures built would be considered at the reserved matters approval stage, it said.

Councillor Malcolm Head said he hoped the creation of the hub would reduce the need for HGVs to park in nearby lay-bys, which he said was "not very safe".

Councillor Stuart Smith added the land the transport hub would be built on was currently derelict.

"It will regenerate the area and provide jobs," he added.

Teesworks is the UK's biggest freeport site. Freeports are designed to boost the economy through tax exemptions on goods imported to the site.