A TECHNOLOGY company has unveiled ambitious 400-job plans it says will help revitalise an industrial site.

ST2 aims to build a £100m data centre on former ICI land at Teesside.

The firm says the venture will provide space for companies and individuals to store large amounts of information carried across the internet, adding it will dispel the myth that London is the only place to do technology successfully.

It also said the centre, near Redcar, will create and support 400 posts across construction, operation and security roles and be powered by neighbouring utilities company Sembcorp.

ST2’s plans include an initial three data halls, however, Anne Stokes, ST2 chief executive, told The Northern Echo the business was being deliberately cautious in its estimates, saying it could extend its presence four-fold.

She said: “Data centres have become an essential part of the economy because all data produced when using the internet has to be stored.

“This is a big site and is perfect in terms of location but it is also a fantastic opportunity for regeneration.

“People don’t always look at what we can do with sites like this but we are really quite excited about it.

“A lot of people think technology can only be developed from the south but why should everything be London-centric?

“We will build out the site in phases; we have got the potential to do 12 data halls.

“We have got a very clear view of what is going on in technology; we have spoken to the best brains and looked for where technology is going.

“We are purposely setting ourselves up to be a UK-based company and will host all of the information in the UK.

“To do that, we are going to need a lot of good people; this will be an important source of quality jobs.”

ST2’s plans still need to be approved by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council but Ms Stokes said she hoped officials would share her vision.

She added: “This development is part of a 20-year investment.

“Data centres have become an essential part of the country’s critical economic infrastructure so we will also be supporting a wide range of businesses.

“The council has been superb. It’s been a pleasure to spend time to get this project to where it is.”