Demolition Begins Redcar Steelworks Redevelopment as Freeport Status Announced

The demolition and redevelopment of the fomer Redcar Steelworks site in Teesside, described as the Chancellor’s ‘poster boy of levelling-up’ began this month.

Teesside was granted Freeport status by the Chancellor in a landmark Budget announcement last week. The Redcar Steelworks redevelopment is set to create up to 18,000 jobs, delivering up to £3.4bn to the region’s economy.

Freeport Status Announced

The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak confirmed Teesside would be one of eight UK Freeports, unlocking jobs and opportunities for businesses in the region.
Chancellor Sunak said: “When I look to the future of Teesside, I see old industrial sites being used to capture and store carbon, vaccines being manufactured, offshore wind turbines creating clean energy for the rest of the country. I see people optimistic and ambitious for their future. That is the future economy of this country.”

The former Redcar Steelworks Coal Handling Facility, originally constructed in the 1970s, will be razed to the ground.
LRS are proud to have worked on the regeneration of the land at Redcar Steelworks, acquiring land to promote commercial development of Tees Valley by converting assets in the South Tees area into opportunities for business investment and economic growth.

In addition, the project will support the area's offshore wind, clean energy, chemicals and process, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Areas given Freeport status within the region will benefit from a wide package of benefits.
For instance, tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures, and treamlined planning processes to boost redevelopment. This is as well as government support to promote regeneration and innovation.

Teesworks

Steel House at the Redcar Steelworks site will be completely transformed as part of major redevelopment work.
Once home to British Steel's Teesside headquarters, the 220,000sq ft of redundant office space will be completely redeveloped under plans put forward for the huge industrial site, which is now known as Teesworks.
Following this, it will become the base for development for all 4,500-acres of the UK’s largest industrial zone.

Lower floors will provide services for people who work on the redevelopment of the former Steelworks, and will include a creche, coffee shop and gym, with upper floors providing office space.
Finally, it will also be home to a heritage centre for the site, celebrating the 170 years of iron and steelmaking on Teesside.

'Turbocharged Enocomy'

Prior to the Budget, Mayor Ben Houchen commented: “A Freeport would be a game-changer for the region, turbocharging our economy and will lead to the creation of thousands of good-quality well paid jobs for local people from across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“That’s why I’m so excited that we’re getting the site ready now, with the Coal Handling Facility the first to go, clearing the path, quite literally for this massive opportunity.

“This demolition is also creating the good-quality jobs that we need right now in the face of the coronavirus.”

Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: 

“This is another important step on the road in our journey making sure Teesworks fulfils its potential as a globally important industrial site providing quality jobs right here in our borough.

“We will continue to work with all our partners and government in the push to become a Freeport which would be a huge benefit to the entire region.”