LAND originally earmarked for the residential market is to be redeveloped to provide commercial office space.

The development being undertaken by London investment and development company Gort, will involve a 3.6-acre site in the Hopetown Park area of Darlington transformed into offices.

The site is currently home to global construction group Skanska, and was formerly the head office of Whessoe International. Darlington Borough Council is also on site, occupying the self-contained, two-story west wing.

Henry Gwyn-Jones, managing director of Gort, said: "The combination of strong tenants on site and our belief in the growth potential of the Darlington office market, with low base rental levels, led to the decision to invest in and develop a contemporary commercial scheme."

Phase one of the development is already under way with planning permission having been granted for the conversion of the 14,000sq ft workshop building at the rear of the site, for the development of 20,000sq ft of high specification offices.

Mr Gwyn-Jones said: "The workshop conversion will set the tone for the rest of the site and is just the first stage in a long-awaited regeneration project that will breathe life into an under-utilized site and the surrounding area.

"Gort is investing a large amount of money in the site, and Darlington as a whole, and we expect not only to attract new tenants but to create an environment that will retain our current occupiers.

"This will create new jobs while retaining existing employment in Darlington, and is recognised as good business practice by Gort."

The project contract for the development has been awarded to Interseve Construction with recladding and refurbishment of the workshops already started on site, due for completion in September.

The contract team includes London-based Mellersh and Harding as project managers, architects Ryder, structural engineers Beddinghurst George and electrical consultants IBSEC.