More than 500 new jobs could be created, as work gets underway on the first phase of a £15 million complex.

Gladman Developments, the UK's largest developer of speculative office, industrial and distribution accommodation, has secured a 10-acre site for 150,000 sq ft of new offices at Queens Meadow Business Park in Hartlepool.

This is Hartlepool’s first speculative office scheme for a number of years, and has been made possible after the company brought land from regional development agency One NorthEast.

The Cheshire-based developer has started work on the first phase of the scheme, the 50,000 sq ft William Gray Court, which will consist of a mix of office buildings ranging in size from 2,250 sq ft to 6,100 sq ft, which will be available for sale or lease. The offices will be ready in summer 2008, creating opportunities for occupiers to bring more than 500 new jobs to the town.

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Tim Matthews, Partner at Gladmans, said: "Our research shows there is a strong demand for new, purpose-built offices from local businesses. Our new development will help meet that need, as we can accommodate all types of organisations, whether they are looking for smaller suites to offices suitable as their headquarters.

"We always build speculatively, as we know that it is the best way to attract new companies to our offices and new employers to an area. In today's fast moving business environment, larger companies cannot wait for buildings to be specifically built for them and smaller companies will go to where accommodation is ready for them to move into.

"Our product has been tailored to meet the demands of modern businesses, meaning that occupiers generally find our units perform well, if not better, than a design and build unit."

Typical Gladman occupiers come from government and public sector organisations, as well as fast growing software, technology and service sector companies.

Once occupiers have started to move into the first phase of William Gray Court, Gladman Developments expects to start work on a further 74,000 sq ft of offices. It also has the option to buy a further 15 acres from One NorthEast, which would make it the single biggest development project in Hartlepool.

(JM)