A £5m industrial project is moving forward as council leaders approved the sale of land to a developer.

Ingenium Park off Salters Lane near Yarm Road is intended to create more than 2,000 jobs by 2036 as Darlington's "premier location for industrial development".

Darlington Borough Council is looking for developers to attract manufacturing and industrial units to the 40.5-acre key employment site.

Read more: Darlington's Skerningham development plans criticised as 'fundamentally flawed'

Councillor Alan Marshall told a cabinet meeting: "This report seeks approval for the sale of approximately 11.28 acres of land at Ingenium Parc.

"The council owns this land at Ingenium Parc and an enquiry has been received from a developer, with an occupier identified to acquire this site.

"They've indicated, subject to planning, they will build a road to access the site that would open up more land at that location.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Alan Marshall. Picture: Darlington Borough Council.Cllr Alan Marshall. Picture: Darlington Borough Council. (Image: Durham County Council)

"This development at this site will generate around 220 jobs and will boost the economy and raise the profile of the borough."

A council report says: "These proposals will increase the supply of employment opportunities within Darlington and will be an excellent addition to support Darlington’s growing economy.

"The disposal will generate a modest capital receipt because the cost of the access road and associated infrastructure is significant and will need to be offset against the value of the land."

Read more: Darlington councillors row over cost of living crisis response

The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) provided money to extend Salters Lane South behind the Cummins factory and "unlock" the land.

This TVCA-funded infrastructure means Darlington Council must "repay to Tees Valley Combined Authority 34% of capital receipts received from disposals of land at Ingenium Parc up to a maximum of £1.6m".

The report adds: "TVCA are aware of this proposed developer interest and are supportive of the investment and employment opportunities it will bring to the Tees Valley."

The terms of the sale, which was agreed by the cabinet, and the identity of the occupier have not been revealed and were confined to a restricted report.

Read next:

What do you think of the development? Why not leave a comment on this story. Go to the top of this story and leave your thoughts. 

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.