Jobs pledge as town centre redevelopment moves on

North East Property Holdings, based in Darlington, wants to build a £4m office on the town's Four Riggs site, which it owns.

The company has helped to build Darlington Primary Care Trust's Dr Piper House and a base for care home operator Southern Cross Healthcare on the adjacent site.

Most of the land at Four Riggs houses redundant factories and leisure accommodation, and is close to a proposed £110m shopping complex in Commercial Street.

North East Property Holdings has submitted plans to Darlington Borough Council to build a modern, four-storey office block.

Property manager Nigel Todd said that a tenant had been secured, although final contracts had yet to be signed.

The development is expected to create more than 250 "professional, accountancy-type" jobs.

Mr Todd said: "We are quite excited about the project. We have just finished a new development that has a strong design for Darlington.

"Some of the designs in the town are very conservative. This is a great development."

The property firm bought the site at the turn of the millennium and has redeveloped it in stages.

Mr Todd said: "From what was a rundown site that had seen better days, including an indoor football pitch that allowed the rain to leak in, we are providing high-quality jobs.

"It is close to the Commercial Street development, it is a prime place for people to be. It is a great modern scheme."

Browne Smith Baker, which has offices in Darlington and Newcastle, has been appointed as architect.

As part of its design proposals, it said: "The aim was to create a landmark building for Four Riggs and Upper Archer Street, which would also increase the value of the surrounding space.

"The proposed development will introduce a sense of vibrancy to this part of the town."

It could also include a skywalk link to neighbouring properties and more than 70 parking spaces.

If plans are approved, the building could be opened by autumn or Christmas next year.