Health innovation zone could herald a 'new industrial revolution' on Teesside

The proposed “care and health innovation zone” could bring about 9,000 jobs and £470m into the local economy annually in a “once in a generation” opportunity, say council chiefs. It is hoped to launch a pioneering area delivering world-leading innovation in technology, tackling health inequalities and skills shortages, helping the future’s doctors, nurses, dentists and social workers.

The zone is planned to “breathe new life” into Teesdale Business Park with a “buzzing and dynamic environment” and regenerate the “blank canvas” of the Tees Marshalling Yards. Organisers say it will transform the 110-hectare site in Stockton and Thornaby.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “That famous quite sad photo from 40 years ago when Margaret Thatcher walked across there, it was labelled as the walk in the wilderness. I very much look forward in the fairly near future to walking over there and it won’t be a wilderness.

“This’ll be the start of a new industrial revolution for Stockton. The North-east was at the cradle of that original industrial revolution, well now we’re looking forward to being at the vanguard of creating new much-needed industries.

“It’s a really big opportunity, a unique opportunity for this borough. We’ve looked at the Teesdale site and the Marshalling Yards site and thought about the untapped potential there, ow we have some real opportunities and we need to drive ahead.

“I’m really pleased we’ve got to this point, the potential to create 9,000 jobs, to put £470m GVA into the economy. We’re putting Stockton once again very much on the map. We have a great reputation for regeneration and creativity so we’re carrying on down that route.”

Council chief executive Mike Greene said: “I think it’s the start of what is going to be a nationally significant period in our economic development. There’s a real potential opportunity to deliver a nationally significant cluster around care and health innovation around Teesdale and the Marshalling Yards.

“Importantly as well, it will help to tackle some of those skills shortages we know we’ve got and are going to increase in the future, to meet the needs of our communities in tackling health inequalities, getting better health outcomes for the area.

“We also know it will future-proof us in terms of providing incubation around some of the technology we want to lead the world in, around digital health technology and linking into some of that innovation, and hopefully provide some space and opportunity to develop modern facilities in a more creative way.

“What people want is a very clear collective route map. I think we’re getting there, this is a first step in that. This is outlining a really bold vision we can collectively rally behind. There’ll be really big gamechangers for the region.

“We knew there was an opportunity here. We’ve been putting some meat on the bones about the size and scale of the opportunity and what we need to do to take it forward.”

The proposals, produced with partners like NHS trusts, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Teesside University and Stockton Riverside College, will go to the council’s cabinet for consideration next week.