HUNDREDS more jobs could be created on the site which is due to house Japanese train maker Hitachi.

A second as yet unnamed company plans to move onto Amazon Park, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, and is in advanced negotiations to lease a 345,000sq ft warehouse.

The development would be to the north of the planned Hitachi train assembly site and work on it could begin as early as the summer.

Geoff Hunton, director of Merchant Place Developments, which owns the 104- acre business park, confirmed that talks were ongoing with a company which, if successful, could see between 400 and 500 jobs created.

He said: “The discussions are ongoing and we shall make announcements once agreements have been reached.”

The Northern Echo had reported last Saturday that an announcement was in the offing which would mean more jobs for the area.

The development is not, however, related to the Hitachi- led Agility Trains consortium.

Hitachi’s rail deal, which was confirmed by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond earlier this month, will see the creation of a 450,000sq ft purpose- built factory, leading to 500 direct jobs.

It will be used to assemble the next generation of highspeed trains which will replace outdated diesel intercity trains, The contract could mean a £4.5bn investment in the region and lead to thousands of jobs being secured or created in the local supply chain.

Yesterday, the leader of Durham County Council, Simon Henig, praised Newcastle- based Merchant Place for their support for the Agility Trains consortium.

In a meeting at County Hall, Durham, Councillor Henig said: “In pushing the case for Newton Aycliffe, Merchant Place Developments has done a great service for the country and, of course, local people.”

Referring to the train assembly plans, Mr Hunton said: “I believe we were successful against intense competition from other UK locations because we were able to supply Hitachi with a purpose-built building that was tailored to meet their requirements.

“We are very much aware of the economic impact on County Durham and the region as a whole.”