Stockton: Digital health plans near Thatcher 'wilderness' site

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, pictured on 12 September 1987, at what remained of the Head Wrightson works in Thornaby

Ambitious plans have been revealed which leaders claim could herald a "new industrial revolution" on Teesside.

The care and health innovation zone could bring some 9,000 jobs and £470m into the local economy annually if approved, Stockton Council was told.

Organisers said it would "breathe new life" into Teesdale Business Park and regenerate the "blank canvas" of the Tees Marshalling Yards.

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was photographed near the site in 1987.

Labour's Nigel Cooke, cabinet member for regeneration, referenced the famous image of Mrs Thatcher at the old Head Wrightson engineering works, where Teesdale Business Park was later built.

It was a photo-opportunity to launch the Teesside Development Corporation regeneration body.

"That famous, quite sad photo from 40 years ago when Margaret Thatcher walked across there, it was labelled as the Walk in the Wilderness," he said.

"I very much look forward in the fairly near future to walking over there and it won't be a wilderness.

"This will be the start of a new industrial revolution for Stockton. The North East was at the cradle of that original industrial revolution, well now we're looking forward to being at the vanguard of creating new much-needed industries."

Tees Marshalling Yard control tower, pictured in 2022

Mr Cooke said there was "untapped potential" at the Teesdale site and the Marshalling Yards site in Stockton and Thornaby, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It would deliver what has been described as world-leading innovation in technology, tackling health inequalities and skills shortages, and helping future doctors, nurses, dentists and social workers.

Teesdale Business Park was redeveloped by the Teesside Development Corporation

Council chief executive Mike Greene said he hoped it would "future-proof" the area in terms of digital health technology.

"I think it's the start of what is going to be a nationally significant period in our economic development," he added.

"We knew there was an opportunity here. We've been putting some meat on the bones about the size and scale of the opportunity and what we need to do to take it forward."

The proposals have been produced with NHS trusts, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Teesside University and Stockton Riverside College, and are due before the council's cabinet on Thursday.