Major city office plan unveiled

Plans have been unveiled for a £150m office complex which developers say could create up to 4,000 jobs in Derby.

Derbyshire-based Norseman Investments wants to build the development opposite the Westfield Centre on land between Siddals Road and Copeland Street.

A planning application for the 400,000 sq ft (37,161 sq m) complex will be submitted in late September.

If approved, work is expected to begin on the project in early summer 2009 and be completed in 2011.

'International reputation'

The plans centre on six buildings, including landscaping and pedestrian and cycle paths.

Developers say the site would be capable of attracting government departments as well as large private firms.

Duncan Ashby, managing director of Norseman Investments, said: "Derby already has an international reputation as home to major corporates such as Egg, Toyota, Rolls Royce and Bombardier.

"This development will create a major new business destination in the city centre and allow Derby to compete nationally for further corporate and public sector occupiers and thereby generate additional employment opportunities."