UP TO 2,000 jobs could be created from a massive £170m development scheme being hailed as the start of "a new Darlington."

The project, which planners say will simply "wow" people, includes homes, offices, public spaces and a sculpture park. The new college of technology has already chosen a site in that area. A hotel and conference centre are also on the agenda.

At the unveiling of the vision for Central Park, which will stretch from Yarm Road to Haughton Road, architect Mike Sharp said the design would be iconic.

"It will transform the area around the railway station to create a postcard image of Darlington," he said.

"Iconic imagery will be used to make this something people won't be able to ignore. The whole scheme will really wow people."

Tees Valley Regeneration has worked with Darlington Council and other partners to deliver the master plan.

A round of public consultation will begin next week.

At Wednesday's launch, council leader Coun John Williams said the authority was the most business-friendly in the region. He pledged that Central Park would be a community, not just an arid business area - "a thriving centre in every respect."

But Coun Williams was cautious about talk of thousands of civil service jobs coming to the new development.

"We should not over-egg the question of civil service jobs too much. This is a prime location for business. It would be good to have public sector jobs but we should not limit ourselves to just that aim. We should market it to everyone of quality."

Project director Neil Graham said talks on the possibility of compulsory purchase orders for allotments and properties in the Green Street area, to make way for the new scheme, were going well.

"We hope to able to do this through negotiation and in a sympathetic manner, but it is our job to keep business alive and kicking and to site the allotments elsewhere."

Mr Graham said previous allotment sites at Arnold Road and Lascelles Park had been earmarked as alternatives. There had been a supportive response from properties to the south of the area.

"We are now working with the council to find alternative locations. We are happy with the way things are going but this is just the start."

* See page 14 for

background report