PLANS for the first two buildings on Middlehaven, in Middlesbrough, will go before councillors this summer.

Developer BioRegional Quintain has submitted a detailed planning application to Middlesbrough Council for the two apartment blocks, with ground-floor offices.

The buildings have been designed by world-renowned architect Will Alsop - the man behind the original Middlehaven plan - while the second, larger building has been inspired by award-winning architects FAT.

The buildings are the first of nine futuristic "cube" residential blocks planned for Middlehaven as part of its £200m transformation.

BioRegional Quintain managing director Pete Halsall said: "Middlehaven will be a fantastic place to work, live and play and the detailed plans for the first apartment blocks give just a glimpse of what is to come.

"Design excellence, sustainability and community creation are at the heart of the development, and the quality of these first apartment cubes is tangible evidence of the drive to make Middlehaven the benchmark for major urban regeneration projects."

Joe Docherty, chief executive of Tees Valley Regeneration, said: "It is yet another step towards the delivery of the whole Middlehaven vision. We said we would deliver world-class development and, although the work is far from over, the team at Tees Valley Regeneration is very proud of these plans."

Overall, the Middlehaven scheme is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs and will feature 2,400 homes alongside shops, bars, cafes restaurants and a luxury hotel.

It will also be the UK's most environmentally-friendly development, powered by on - and off-site wind turbines and boasting zero carbon emissions