A NEW Darlington business park is being earmarked for high quality office, hotel and leisure facilities.

Developers hope 2,000 jobs will be created at Morton Palms, a 28-acre site on the eastern edge of the town.

The land was set aside for employment by Darlington council, which is paying towards the £1.5m infrastructure work in partnership with One North-East.

This will be finished by the spring. The site has a stream and there will be additional trees, shrubs and ponds. In keeping with the landscape, no fences are allowed between the 11 plots and buildings will be of a high architectural standard.

Civic and business leaders met there on Friday of last week . They were joined by Darlington MP Mr Alan Milburn who told the D&S Times: "This site is very important for Darlington. I am very hopeful it will bring millions of pounds of investment and more jobs into the town. Darlington is a brilliant place for business and well-located for British and European markets. There cannot be any better locations in the North-East," he emphasised.

Coun John Williams, leader of Darlington council and vice-chairman of One North-East, said: "Morton Palms is a trem-endous development. We have got an open mind about who will come here, but we are looking for quality, sustainable jobs with good wages and salaries.

"There will be offices and hopefully some manufacturing. We already have a critical mass of developers and think we can add to this."

Road and sewer work is being carried out by Mowlam and the site is being marketed by Newcastle-based Chesterton.

Darlington council chief executive Mr Barry Keel stressed the need for good hotel provision. Up-market hotels were in short supply, particularly on Teesside, he said.

He emphasised the site had good connections to Teesside airport, Darlington railway station and the A1.

"We are hoping to get new companies here, but there may also be some relocated firms. It's big site. If we fill 28 acres over ten years, we will be very happy. While Darlington and Stockton are never going to join up, there are real opportunities for quality sites along the A66 corridor."

Chesterton is marketing the site now and firms are being invited to submit expressions of interest.