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Plans for significant preparation and clearing works designed to allow for the development of 120 acres of land at the former steelworks in Redcar have been submitted.

The work – proposed by the South Tees Development Corporation – would be carried out on land that was secured by mayor Ben Houchen last year following a landmark deal with Tata Steel Europe.

This resulted in the organisation acquiring 1,420 acres of land.

The application would allow for comprehensive remediation of the land and ground engineering works to be carried out, with the contract being awarded to Hartlepool-based Seymour Civil Engineering.

Separately, a prior approval application has also been submitted for a number of small buildings on the Prairie.

This would lead to the first major demolition work on the site since the land was secured.

Houchen said:

“This is another crucial step in redeveloping this huge area and getting the diggers to work, spades in the ground and clearing up the former steelworks site as quickly as possible.

“This latest work will mean we can get the new investment on to the site and we can get on with creating good quality, high-skilled local jobs for local people which I have promised to the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool as part of my recovery plan.

Cllr Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council and South Tees Development Corporation Board member, added:

“The progress now being made on-site is fantastic to see.

“After only a matter of weeks, we have planning applications in for a new roundabout and improved access to the site, although these are, of course, subject to approvals.

“Now we’re pushing to get the first pockets of land ready for investment.”