The Newcastle company has unveiled images of how the first phase of commercial development would look, on the former Akzo Nobel site in Shieldfield.

Architect Faulkner Brown has put together a design with green credentials. Metnor says the use of sensitive design respects the scale and location of surrounding land uses such as student housing and other residential developments.

The buildings are designed to be environmentally sound and would be constructed to high Breeam ratings, with requirements for heat and light kept to a minimum.

One of the aims of the Metnor scheme is to improve links between the city centre and the east of Newcastle. The layout has been designed to encourage pedestrian and cycle movement through the site into the east of the city and to the city centre.

Metnor Property Group managing director John Parkinson said: "This is a well thought out, high quality solution for an important part of the city which will greatly benefit from regeneration.

"We believe that this site is a key link site between the centre and places such as Sandyford and East Quayside.

"The size and quality of Portland Green mean it has the potential to have a major impact on the local economy and future investment in this area."