PLANS to develop land belonging to a collapsed steelworks will create thousands of jobs “reborn out of the ashes of SSI”, it has been claimed.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has unveiled his vision for the site of the former Redcar steelworks which he said could be “the engine for the next industrial revolution”.

The 25-year regeneration ‘masterplan’ has the potential to bring 20,000 jobs to the area, as well as add an additional £1bn per year to the local economy, and will help to repair the “heartache and human tragedy” of the SSI colapse, according to Mr Houchen.

The land earmarked for development, which is in excess of 2,000 acres, is still owned by SSI-IL (SSI in liquidation), Tata Steel, Redcar Bulk Terminal and British Steel.

However, Mr Houchen insisted it will be a case of “when, not if” the land is available for development.

More than 2,000 jobs were lost when SSI went into liquidation in 2015, but the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) unveiled its vision to bring employment back to the area at an event at Redcar’s Community Heart yesterday.

The masterplan proposes demolishing the site of the former Redcar steelworks by 2023 – with work due to start next year.

However, the STDC propose maintaining a 20-acre site containing the steelwork’s blast furnace for heritage purposes – which will see it “dramatically” lit up at night.

Proposals also include turning the Steel House building into a research and innovation centre, the expansion and renovation of port facilities – including South Bank Wharf - and a test track for driverless cars, as well as the creation of a nature reserve, a heritage trial extension, and the inclusion of beach huts along South Gare.

The plans for transport infrastructure improvements include an extension of Eston Road, a new roundabout on the A66 via Dockside Road, and creating a number of dual carriageways across the 4,000 acre site.

New freight and passenger rail facilities and connections have also been proposed.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Mr Houchen insisted the 20,000 job figure was not a “pie in the sky” remark.

“The figure comes from potential investor interest that we have already had on the site - it is not a wish list.

“The plan is actually based on interest from North America right across to the Far East, and it is from companies saying we will put money where our mouth is - it is real and serious interest.”

The Tees Valley Mayor also insisted securing the land “won’t be a problem”.

“We think progress with SSI and the official receiver is going really well.

“I have the power to compulsory purchase the site, but we don’t think we will necessarily need that - we think there is a job to be done.

“We will see the progress on the site in the near future rather than the distant future.”

Mr Houchen also claimed some of the jobs could be confirmed by 2020.

“Construction jobs will be available from next year, and we are very hopeful that investment opportunities will be available next year, creating permanent jobs from 2020 that will be reborn from the ashes of SSI.

“In 25 years, we are talking about the project being complete.”

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said: “Projects at this scale do take time but we are already two years down the line, and the timescale set out today will effectively take a generation.

“As it stands this project is more likely to benefit current and future children of ex SSI workers than it is the men and women who lost their jobs at the works.”

However, Ms Turley said she was pleased to see a “very ambitious” plan.

“The closure of the steelworks struck a massive blow to the local economy and livelihoods that we are still reeling from - it is crucial we get the regeneration right so something good and positive can come from the ashes.

“A patchwork of land ownership, including the liquidated SSI, is going to be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.

“Some serious negotiation and diplomacy is going to be needed to solve it and there are still big questions over funding too.

“Significant progress has been promised within the next year and that is something I intend to hold the Mayor and the Government to account on.”

Public consultations on the plans will be held over the coming months.