YET more speculatively developed offices in Clifton Moor, York, are about to come on to the market.

This time developer Evans of Leeds, one of the biggest investors in the York commercial property market, is nearing completion of Horizon Court, a new 13,700 sq ft office park which will consist of eight offices ranging in size from 1,480sq ft to 2,160sq ft in Audax Close, Lancaster Park.

Alan Syers, portfolio director at Evans, has joined Denise Dodd, operations director of the inward investment agency, york-england.com to "top out" Horizon Court.

Already Richard Flanagan of York agents Lawrence Hannah Skelton has shown at least six interested investors around the site. They were, he said, "mostly people looking to purchase on very long leaseholds with self-administered pension funds either for their own businesses or to let out at sums which could reach or exceed the present out-of-York record of £15 per square foot."

Mr Syers said: "We are focusing on effectively selling the properties as freeholds by offering 150-year leases for a premium and peppercorn rental. That is where we see a market for small businesses and investors."

The freehold prices, linked at £165 per square foot means that the offices will sell for between £244,200 (for 1,480sq ft) to £356,400 (for 2,160sq ft.)

Denise Dodd welcomed Evans Property Group's initiative to build speculatively. "We are aware of the popular demand for high-quality freehold office accommodation of this size in York. We are confident that this will be a highly successful development for inward investment and for indigenous firms."

Updated: 10:28 Monday, February 21, 2005