Port plan faces first hurdle

8:52am Thursday 26th April 2007

PLANS to build a £300m container terminal in the region will face their first hurdle tomorrow when the application is heard by a specially-convened planning body.

The proposals to build the deep sea terminal at Teesport, in Middlesbrough - known as the Northern Gateway scheme - have been recommended for approval by planning consultants.

Regional development agency One NorthEast has also backed the project, saying it adds its full support to the campaign.

Last week, the Shadow Minister for Transport, Chris Grayling, told The Northern Echo he also supported the project, and pledged to write to Secretary of State for Transport Douglas Alexander to urge his approval.

If the Northern Gateway is given the go-ahead, up to 5,500 jobs could be created in the North-East.

Tomorrow, the application - submitted by Teesport owner PD Ports - will be heard by the planning committee of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Planning consent is expected to be granted, but Government approval through a Harbour Revision Order is also needed.

Port operator Hutchinson Ports, which owns rival terminals in Felixstowe and Harwich, has objected on the grounds of impact on roads and a lack of capacity on the rail network to accommodate additional freight.

David Robinson, chief executive of the PD Ports group, said he remained confident the scheme would be given approval.

The new terminal is supported by The Northern Echo through the Support Our Port campaign.

* For a full account of the planning meeting, read The Northern Echo tomorrow.

Editor's Choice