Sunderland City Council have supported plans for a new research centre at at the planned £41m International Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sunderland near to the Nissan plant. Giving a green light to an ‘early design’ of the proposal.

The Center of Excellence for Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CESAM) is a joint project between the North East Automotive Alliance, industry figures and universities.

Sunderland City Council leader, Graeme Miller, stated: “Work is already under way for Phase One of this major development and last month there was an announcement from car parts manufacturer SNOP UK about its state-of-the-art-factory.

“There are other exciting projects being worked up including a possible Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CESAM).

“The early design programme for a proposed CESAM, that could house research and development facilities, has been examined and backed by the City Council’s Cabinet.”

The meeting which endorsed ‘preliminary work’ plans was held in private and currently no further details are available.

The IAMP is a joint venture among SCC and South Tyneside Council and development at the 150-hectare site, north of the Nissan plant, off the A19, began in August.

Over the next 10 to 15 years, the site is expected to see around £400m of private sector investment and in excess of 7,000 jobs.

A Government City Deal in 2015 pulled in investment worth £41m for the site through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) £270m Local Growth Fund for upgrades in infrastructure, including new roads, bridges and other environmental enhancements.

A week ago, South Tyneside Council leader Iain Malcolm said he was “confident” that the Metro could be stretched out to the site within 10 years.

This was backed by Coun Miller, who said that could “easilly” be accomplished.