Plans for a 500,000 sq ft (45,450 sq m) expansion of Monks Cross North business park on the outskirts of York have been given the green light.
The Monks Cross Partnership, comprising the Helmsley Group and private developers Hugh Ball and Peter Smith, plans £60m of offices on a further 26 acres (10.5ha) at the 40-acre site.
The park currently offers 200,000 sq ft (18,580 sq m) of offices on 14 acres (5.66ha).
Richard Peak, spokesperson for the Monks Cross Partnership and director of the Helmsley Group, said: “We are delighted that the council has backed our plans to help address the shortage of high-quality office space for employers in York as well as those relocating from elsewhere.
“Monks Cross North is the first business park in York to be comprehensively developed and managed by one company.”
The scheme will be developed over the next seven to 10 years, with a range of premises aimed at start-up businesses through to government departments relocating to the region and headquarter buildings for large companies.
Tenants at the park include Norwich Union Life, which occupies a purpose-built 80,000 sq ft (7,432 sq m) building.
The Monks Cross Partnership has already speculatively developed the 53,000 sq ft (4,924 sq m) Alpha development of seven offices and is seeking planning permission for a terrace of six starter units of 1,380 sq ft (128 sq m) and 1,800 sq ft (167 sq m) each, which will be available for sale or let.
References: EGi News 03/08/04
