PLANS were unveiled yesterday to transform an urban wasteland into a waterfront playground, creating more than 2,500 jobs.

The £300m North Shore project, led by Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR), aims to breathe new life into 56 acres of former industrial land on the banks of the River Tees, in Stockton.

The mixed use site will include 25,000sq ft of leisure space for a 100- bedroom hotel, plus cafes, bars and restaurants. There will also be 650,000sq ft of office accommodation and 450 homes.

A total of £18m of public money, through English Partnerships, has been invested in improving road access and making the site ready for construction companies to move in.

Neil Bradbury, English Partnerships regional director, said: "We have been working closely with Tees Valley Regeneration by funding site infrastructure works and land assembly.

"We are confident there will be strong developer interest in the site and we will continue to work closely with TVR to secure a scheme of the highest quality."

Development of the north bank will also link the river front with Stockton town centre, a move civic leaders hope will boost its revival.

Councillor Bob Gibson, leader of Stockton Borough Council, said: "This is a huge opportunity and one that we cannot afford to miss. We all have a job to do to make sure it happens and we won't be taking our eye off the ball."

More than 50 developers gathered yesterday afternoon at TVR's headquarters on the Teesdale Business Park, opposite North Shore, for a presentation on the site's potential.

They will be invited to tender contracts and one partner will be chosen in July, to carry out the development.

Building work on the first phase of the eight-year plan could start as soon as next year.

"North Shore is a fantastic opportunity and one that we believe the major developers will wish to grasp with both hands," said TVR chief executive Joe Docherty.

"It is a great location, with a host of natural advantages and a master-plan of which we are truly proud.

"This is a scheme that will not only raise the bar in terms of design and quality, but one that will increase both commercial interest and values."

The eastern end of the site lies across the river from Durham University's Queen's Campus. The university is already close to signing a contract that will see it build a 150,000sq ft complex on the north side, linked to its south bank campus by a pedestrian and cycle bridge.

Vice-Chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman said the plan would further strengthen the link between education and economic development.

The bridge is scheduled to be constructed with the first building phase next year.

John Holmes, director of regeneration and tourism at regional development agency One NorthEast, said: "We hope that the new bridge will become a positive symbol for the Tees Valley, in the same way as the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge has become synonymous with Tyneside."

TVR is also keen to emulate the economic and cultural benefits brought by the redevelopment of Newcastle's Quayside and the Gateshead Quays. Mr Docherty said: "We want to build on the success of Newcastle Gateshead, but develop here in a way that is appropriate for Stockton.

"The Quayside development started 12 years ago, it is not finished yet. We are thinking on a similar scale and have a similar ambition."

TVR is involved in three mixed use developments along the river.

The £170m, 75-acre Central Park site, in Darlington, is expected to create 2,000 jobs. In Middlesbrough, 250 acres of waterfront next to Middlesbrough FC's Riverside Stadium will be transformed into the £500m Middlehaven site. A further £500m is to be invested in Hartlepool's Victoria Harbour.

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