THOUSANDS of jobs could be created on a new industrial hub aimed at bolstering a town’s commercial sector.

Darlington Borough Council says its Ingenium Parc blueprint has the potential to deliver more than 2,000 posts.

Last night, Chris McEwan, the council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, told The Northern Echo that the 40-hectare site has great potential, revealing the authority has “leads coming in all the time”.

The development would neighbour engine maker Cummins’ factory and Cleveland Bridge’s plant, both based off Darlington’s Yarm Road.

Bosses say initial plots could be available in 2019, adding the first phase of the proposal has the potential to unlock 11 hectares and accommodate up to 1,100 jobs by 2021.

The scheme comes just days after the Echo revealed the council was pushing on with a 500-job plan to turn a former car park in the town’s Feethams area into an office block.

Cllr McEwan said the authority was confident its Ingenium proposal would be well received by businesses, citing the town’s existing industry players and strong transport links as key draws for operators.

He also said the development would help build on momentum in Darlington, which has seen the opening of a £38m Centre for Process Innovation healthcare research centre and Business Central office hub complemented by a new cinema and restaurant complex on a former bus depot.

He told the Echo: “Ingenium Parc has been earmarked for economic growth for some time and is an exciting opportunity to help us put the borough on the map as a place where businesses want to develop, invest and succeed.

“There are leads coming in all the time and we have got good leads from inward investors and expansion of existing businesses.

“There is an industrial cluster there already, so this would build on that.

“We have a good track record of delivery, and it’s about maintaining the momentum and building on the economic growth we have seen in a planned and sustainable way.”

According to the plans, and subject to approval, work on transport improvements, including the Yarm Road roundabout and Salters Lane South, could start early next year.

The council is now inviting residents and businesses to have their say, with the feedback due to be used alongside investigations into ground conditions, habitat and transport links to mould its final vision for the site.

Comments can be emailed to economic.projects@darlington.gov.uk or sent to the Town Hall.

The closing date for comments is Tuesday, September 26.

A further two consultation events, split between residents and businesses, are scheduled for next month.

For more information, visit darlington.gov.uk/ingeniumparc