A NORTH-EAST law firm has helped to ensure the region becomes home to a £25m green energy factory, which will make the world’s biggest turbine blades and could create 3,000 jobs.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week unveiled plans for the Neptune Blade facility, on the riverside at Walker, Newcastle. It will be the first factory in the UK to build offshore turbines.

The project, by Clipper Windpower, based in the US, is expected to be completed this year, creating 500 jobs on Tyneside and thousands more in the supply chain.

The Premier hailed the announcement as a great day for Tyneside, and said he believed the North-East had the capacity to lead the world in the sector.

To complete the deal, Clipper was advised by North-East law firm Swinburne and Jackson, which negotiated the lease for the site, formerly the Neptune shipyard and now part of former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd’s Shepherd Offshore Renewable Energy Park.

The land is being leased from Shepherd Offshore, which will build the 43,000sq ft factory, which will create 236ft turbine blades for Clipper, with construction expected to start in April.

David Still, the managing director of Clipper Windpower Marine Ltd in the UK, said: “Through the oil and gas industries, the North- East offers a wealth of skills transferable to the offshore wind sector, and it also has the space and capability to allow developments like the one at Neptune shipyard to happen.”

Robert Lewis, consultant head of commercial property at Swinburne and Jackson, led the legal team, supported by head of commercial Michael Wood-Williams and commercial property solicitor James Mackie.

Mr Lewis said: “This is a landmark deal for the region as it strives to lead the UK’s emerging renewable energy industry. In order to successfully complete the transaction within the necessary timescale, we were able to draw upon significant expertise relating to windpower turbine leases and use this to the benefit of all the parties involved.

“It has been a pleasure to be involved in this deal, which is a real coup for the North-East, creating a new round of much-needed investment and employment over years to come.”

Swinburne and Jackson has offices in Gateshead, Chester-le- Street, Hexham, Washington and Ryton. In addition to its strong company and commercial team, the firm is renowned for its family, criminal law and private client work.