A BLUEPRINT to create more than 5,000 jobs at a new manufacturing hub has moved a step closer to reality.

A plan to turn land near Nissan’s Sunderland car plant into the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) has received further approval.

The IAMP’s joint area action plan was adopted after being declared sound and legally compliant by an independent planning inspector.

Bosses previously said the park, which is a joint project between local authorities in South Tyneside and Sunderland, has the capacity to create more than 500 jobs every year from 2018 and boost Nissan’s supply chain, delivering hundreds of millions of pounds of private sector investment.

Councillor Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “IAMP will have a major impact on our communities, creating thousands of jobs in advanced manufacturing, automotive supply and knowledge-based industries.

“The adoption of the area action plan marks a milestone in the successful delivery of the council’s vision of a truly world-class business environment.”

Sunderland City Council adopted the action plan last week.

Councillor Harry Trueman, the authority’s deputy leader, added: “The decisions in South Tyneside, following ours, show how important this project is to our region.”

The Government has already pledged £42m through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership towards infrastructure at IAMP, including new roads, bridges and environmental improvements.

Work could start next year.