THE first plans for a development which promises to create as many as 400 jobs on a new business park have been revealed.

Developer Highbridge Morton Palms hopes to build two office blocks on the business park of Darlington's Yarm Road.

Although no company has agreed to take over the offices, Highbridge is confident that between 350 and 400 people will eventually be based there.

The company also hopes 240 construction jobs will be created if the offices are given the go-ahead and building work gets under way.

The Morton Palms business park is a joint venture between Darlington Borough Council and One NorthEast, and the partnership has already spent £1.5m ensuring the road and basic infrastructure are in place.

It is hoped that when construction of the site is completed, it will have attracted £17m of private investment to the town and will create 2,000 jobs.

John Williams, leader of the council and deputy chairman of One NorthEast, said: "The business park will bring investment to Darlington and create job opportunities for local people. Both Darlington Council and One NorthEast look forward to working with the developers to produce a high-quality business park that will be a real asset to the town."