A DEVELOPER has been chosen to build a huge business park on Tyneside, with the potential to create 5,000 jobs.

Terrace Hill Group, currently developing Teesdale Business park on Teesside, has been chosen by Gateshead Borough Council to build the £250m, 53-acre Baltic Business Parknear the new Millennium Bridge.

About a third of the park will be taken up by Knowledge Campus, a centre of excellence that will bring together companies at the cutting edge of new product development.

Major engineering designers, toolmakers, lawyers, patent agents and firms providing prototyping, IT, multimedia and marketing will form a community of innovative, high-tech firms in an inspiring urban setting.

Knowledge Campus is a partnership between the council, regional development agency One NorthEast and engineering and design company Express Group.

Plans include 40 buildings from two to five storeys high plus one eight-storey block.

They will range in size from about 10,000sq ft up to nearly 100,000sq ft.

The park will be a complete working village, with a pedestrianised central square and services such as a health club, medical centre, nursery, bars, cafes and shops.

Car parking will be in basements underneath the buildings and low-rise multi-storey blocks, and it will have its own public transport interchange.

Philip Leech, director of Terrace Hill with responsibility for the North-East, said: "Gateshead is clearly demonstrating to the world its vision and, more importantly, its ability to deliver.

"We are proud to be partners in Baltic Business Park and will ensure it reflects the quality and success already being achieved on Gateshead Quays."

Deputy leader of Gateshead council Councillor Mick Henry said: "This announcement completes our vision for Gateshead Quays as a place to work, live and play.

"It will deliver high quality, skilled jobs and business opportunities for thousands of people."

Mark Henderson, director of operations at One NorthEast said: "Knowledge Campus is a true landmark project, which is an integral part of the renaissance of the Tyne Gateway.

"The project is a key driver towards a knowledge-based economy, developing the region's expertise in engineering and knowledge transfer and helps achieve the Regional Economic Strategy's vision for the North-East."

Baltic Business Park and the campus have been designed by Newcastle-based architects Red Box Design Group.