Plans approved for £100million tyre facility at Port of Sunderland, bringing 70 jobs

A new sustainable tyre recycling plant at the Port of Sunderland will see a £100million investment in the area and create 70 jobs after plans were approved by councillors.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The proposals for the “modern high-quality and safe facility” from Norwegian company WasteFront AS will see end of life tyres recycled using heat treatment.

The company aims to “reduce the negative environmental impact” associated with disposing of tyres, and recycle them into useful commodities, such as carbon black, which is used in the manufacturing of new tyres.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The development is to take place at the former Sunderland Oil Storage site on Hudson Dock East Side in Barrack Street, with bosses behind the plans estimating £100million will be invested into the area.

Plans for the new facility have been approved for the Port of Sunderland.Plans for the new facility have been approved for the Port of Sunderland.
Plans for the new facility have been approved for the Port of Sunderland.

Sunderland City Council Planning and Highways (East) Committee unanimously approved the proposals, in line with the recommendations of planning officers.

Simon Greaves, speaking on behalf of WasteFront at the meeting, said the development will have numerous benefits to Sunderland.

He said: “The proposed development represents a £100milion investment in Sunderland and will be a key tenant of Port of Sunderland in the long term.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It will be a strong investment in Sunderland, with high quality employment opportunities, apprenticeships and the ability to give educational tours.

“There’s a compelling need for the facility which will be safe, environmentally friendly and will facilitate the delivery of sustainable fuels, raw material and jobs, bringing security to the use of the port.”

He added the development will “employ hundreds” during construction, with an estimated 70 full-time equivalent jobs to be offered during operation of the site.

The meeting heard WasteFront is intending to build “three or four” of the facilities in the UK, and more around the world, but the Sunderland plant will be the first.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Council officers added the site will “maximise” use of sea transport for imports and exports, while the development is intended to have a lifespan of “approximately 30 years”.

A social media post from Sunderland Labour said the approval marks “the largest inward investment project” in the port’s history.

Conservatiive Cllr Michael Dixon, speaking at the planning meeting, said: “A lot of money has been spent in the city, and this is further progress in a different sphere, so I wish it well and it is continued progress for the city.”

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today.

Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters.

Your support for our journalism means we can continue telling Sunderland’s stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe - and click here to get a snapshot of the Echo’s news and sport to your inbox through our email newsletters.