PLANS for a new business park near Chester-le-Street will create up to 500 job opportunities.

Town planners have granted approval for a £3.5m business park on the edge of the town.

Designed for architects, solicitors, accountants and other professional businessmen tired of commuting to and from the North's major cities, the rural scheme is expected to bring in millions of pounds in inward investment.

Situated on the Earl of Durham's Lambton Park estate, the site is close to the commuter corridor between Chester-le-Street, Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland.

Five former agricultural buildings, all disused for 15 years, are to be converted into high spec offices, along with two new access roads and a car park for 140 vehicles.

David Gray, agent for the trustees of Lambton Park, says the business park will provide a huge economic boost for the area.

He said: "It's right in the middle of an area that has really suffered in the past with the closure of pits and opencast coal mines.

"The location is practically perfect - it's equidistant from Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle and has easy access to the A1 and Newcastle Airport.

"It's been designed with accountants, solicitors, architects and managers in mind - people who are tired of fighting through the traffic and want to work in a more pleasing ambience."

Chester-le-Street District Council approved the scheme subject to several conditions.

Tom Watson, the authority's planning services manager, said: "We've been looking for a quality scheme like this - it's just what the district needs.

"The scheme will hopefully attract investment and jobs into the area