PLANS are to be submitted for a massive development of data storage warehouses, which could bring millions of pounds of investment into the region.
Lloyds TSB has begun consultation for the proposed data centre, which would be located on the outskirts of Darlington.
The development, at Whessoe Grange Farm, behind the Argos distribution centre, would consist of four large warehouses full of computers, which would store account data for Lloyds TSB customers.
The Darlington site is one of several being considered across the country.
However, the bank has said the application is the furthest advanced of any of the sites.
The data centre, which would be about 200,000sq ft, would represent an investment of possibly hundreds of millions of pounds by Lloyds TSB and would create jobs for between 40 and 50 people.
A spokesman for the company said: “This is an exciting project.
“We do have data centres already and we’ll keep those, but we have to plan ahead as our customers grow and we need to make sure that we have top quality customer planning.
“When this site is up and running it will fulfil our data needs for the next 20 or 30 years.
“It’s too early to say if it will definitely go ahead in Darlington, but the development is further down the line than any other sites.”
He said that Darlington was chosen as a potential site because of its location and its potential workforce and also because there were few places in the country which could offer a site of its size.
Darlington Borough Council leader Councillor John Williams said: “This is potentially great news for the town and we’re working very hard with the company to bring the scheme to fruition but there can be no guarantees yet.”
Lloyds TSB has begun consulting people to gather comments about the proposal.
A public exhibition is being organised in Alderman Leach Primary School, West Park, Darlington, on Saturday, between 10am and 5pm.
Go to cbre.co.uk/whessoegrange
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