PLANS to build offices in the open space between Middlesbrough Town Hall and library, which it is hoped will bring 1,500 jobs to the town, have been approved by councillors.

Middlesbrough Council’s planning committee approved plans by developer Ashall Projects for the redevelopment site, as national restaurant operator Bistrot Pierre confirmed it was opening a unit on Middlesbrough’s Centre Square in September this year.

Work on the Centre Square East development can now begin after being approved, and will see hundreds of thousands of square ft of office accommodation, as well as eateries and bars.

Ashall’s plans form part of Middlesbrough Council’s £700m “Investment Prospectus” which was launched to the public last month and includes plans to create 5,000 jobs across the town.

The company said up to 1,500 jobs will be created throughout the Centre Square development alone.

Mark Ashall, Director of Ashall Projects, said: “Centre Square has the potential to be a centre for business activity capable of providing the best office accommodation between Leeds to the south and Newcastle to the north, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

“An essential element of the development is the provision of attractive public realm and green space. We have worked closely with Seymour Architecture and landscape designers, Colour, to ensure the scheme delivers that.”

In the first phase, Middlesbrough ’s empty registry office will be bulldozed to make way for one of the office blocks, with another near the HMRC offices.

And the pond next to art gallery mima will be filled in, with two more large office blocks and a car park built on it, while the Bottle of Notes will move about ten metres to accommodate one of the buildings.

Centre Square itself will not be built on despite fears it would be.

The project is part of a wider regeneration scheme in Middlesbrough which includes other schemes near the railway station and at Middlehaven, which includes the new snow centre, which was approved earlier this year.

A ‘media and innovation village’ inspired by Salford Quays is also planned for Middlesbrough bus station, which would be moved.