THE first images of one of the largest and most innovative business locations in the country have been released.

It is hoped that more than 10,000 jobs will be created at Newcastle Great Park (NGP) when plans for the flagship business park are given the go-ahead by Newcastle City Council.

As the proposals take shape, the development consortium, led by Taylor Woodrow and Persimmon, is also drawing up the masterplan for a town centre at NGP.

Detailed artist's drawings show how the business park units will look - the finished scheme is expected to accommodate almost half of Newcastle's new jobs during the next decade.

Total expenditure on the NGP developments, which cover more than 1,000 acres, will be more than £800m. The project is likely to become one of the UK's biggest mixed-use developments when it reaches completion in ten to 15 years.

Commercial uses for the town will include retail, hotel, health and leisure and sport as well as a wide range of community and educational facilities and more than 1,000 homes.

Software company Sage will move into its £60m headquarters at the park when the building work reaches completion in March next year. Signing up the international company has been one of NGP's major coups.

Strong interest has also been shown by investors and potential residents who want to follow in Sage's footsteps.

One of NGP's selling points is its location, which offers links to the A1, Newcastle International Airport and the city centre.

NGP Project director John Holmes said Sage moving to the site as the first commercial occupier reinforced the message that NGP offers high quality facilities for world-class companies.

He said: "The gateway entrance to the business park is nearing completion and this has given the park a real visual impact."

Published: 04/11/2003