AN office scheme that could house more than 600 jobs has recieved planning approval.

Gladman Developments is spending £9.7m on an 88,200sq ft office complex in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The company, which has an annual turnover of £150m, plans to start work on the offices in Welbury Way, in Newton Aycliffe's industrial park, in the summer.

It hopes to have the first buildings available for occupation by early next year.

Parsons Court is expected to attract a mix of organisations and work will start before tenants are found for the buildings.

Gladman, which has been working with regional development agency One NorthEast on the scheme, always builds "speculatively".