UP to 2,000 jobs could be created with the building of a business park and hotel on the outskirts of Darlington.

This forecast has been made by regional development agency One North East.

An outline application for the development has been made to Darlington Borough Council, which owns the land on Morton Palms, next to the A66 and Yarm Road.

The 28-acre scheme would be opposite McDonald's, and would back on to land at the rear of the Cummins' building.

One North East would need to build an access road.

The agency is looking at the site for headquarters-style buildings or call centres.

Drainage would have to be worked out, because Neasham Parish Council has blamed surface water from earlier developments, such as the Morrisons supermarket, for the flooding of Kent Beck.