Sunderland City Council today revealed plans to create a 690,000 sq ft business park on part of car maker Nissan’s site.

The council has brokered a deal between developers Wilton and Clugston, regeneration body One Northeast and car maker Nissan to dispose of land at its Washington site to create the business park.

The Washington scheme will include office space, light industrial units, a hotel and car showroom.

Councillor Bob Symonds, leader of Sunderland council, said: ‘Sunderland City Council has supported Nissan from day one and this latest deal, which will not only see efficiency improvements at the Nissan plant but a first rate business park with the potential to create more than 4,000 new jobs in the city, is an example of the City Council's business friendly approach.

A masterplan for the site is underway and a planning application for 700,000 sq ft of commercial development will be submitted later this year.

The disposal of land by Nissan at its Washington site will fund a new logistics centre for Nissan at its Sunderland site.

It will create a 215,280 sq ft logistics centre to process thousands of parts each year improving its logistics operation in the city.