THREE business schemes that could bring more than 2,000 jobs to the North-East have been unveiled by property company Gladman Developments.

Gladman intends to develop two sites on the Drum Industrial Estate, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, which are expected to house about 1,500 jobs between them.

The group has also secured planning permission for a multi-million pound office development at Monkton South Business Park, in Hebburn, South Tyneside, which is expected to house more than 550 workers.

Gladman, based in Cheshire, is one of the UK's largest speculative office and industrial developers, with a turnover of £200m.

Its dealings on the Drum Industrial Estate include the purchase of a 14-acre plot from Robert Wiseman Diaries for an undisclosed sum. Plans have been submitted for a range of office buildings and warehousing units.

On the same site, Gladman is in the process of acquiring a second 26-acre site, on which it has already applied for planning permission for a £28m industrial and distribution development.

Kevin Edwards, Gladman's director, said: "This is a good base from which occupiers can service the whole of the North, as well as offer good access to Yorkshire and Scotland.

"Our research shows that there is little existing competing accommodation in the area, to help retain companies and draw in new ones.

"Once our two developments are complete, we expect them to be home to around 1,500 jobs."

Gladman has also completed the purchase of 5.29 acres of land at the Monkton South Business Park from regional development agency One NorthEast.

Planning permission has already been granted for a £13m office development, known as Merchant Court, which once fully occupied will house more than 550 workers.

Gladman is working on a number of developments across the region, including a £9.7m office complex in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, which was granted approval earlier this month.

Construction of the Parsons Court 88,200sq ft office complex is expected to start in the summer and, once finished, it will be home to about 600 workers.

Gladman is also working on a 56,500sq ft development in Catterick, North Yorkshire, after plans were approved in March.

The £6.2m scheme will see the creation of 11 office blocks at Colburn Business Park, in Colburn, which could attract more than 500 jobs to the area