THE developers of a business park in Darlington will create a multi-million pound scheme in Gateshead.

City and Northern, which is developing Morton Palms, in Darlington, will carry out the latest development on land next to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, in Gateshead.

The project includes a 150-bed hotel and two office buildings in South Shore Road, Gateshead.

Catherine Cannon, a director of City and Northern, which is based in Newcastle, said: "After 18 months of discussions with the planners, we are delighted to have received detailed planning for the 110,000sq ft of office accommodation and outline planning permission for a hotel. All being well, work will begin on site during 2005.

"The proposed mix of uses on the site responds to the cultural change that has taken place in office accommodation at present, with emphasis on quality, efficiency and that all-important corporate brand in order to bring forward a scheme which is aspirational and ultimately sustainable.

"We have taken all this into account, together with, of course, its location and neighbouring uses."

The development value of the scheme is more than £30m.

Published: 10/08/2004