A huge new growth spurt with an extra 40 jobs is about to take place at Northminster Business Park in York, with possibly 110 more to come within the next two years.

The latest phase is reaching fruition - part of a massive speculative building programme, which began in 1997 when Northminster Properties bought a 12-acre distribution centre, from Challis, in Northfield Lane.

So far, 32 companies have occupied big development schemes there, between them generating 250 jobs.

Now part of a third phase is almost complete, and marketing agent King Sturge reports that already businesses - some from outside York - are forming queues for site visits with an eye to becoming owner-occupiers, buy-to-let investors or taking on standard commercial leases.

By next week, Maple House, a terrace of four small offices, is likely to be complete, each of 1,268 sq ft and each with a freehold price tag of £245,000. They will also be available for rent from £14.50 per sq ft depending on the length of lease.

By February, two other office blocks, Blackthorn House and Cherry Tree House, should be ready for occupation, each of 2,327 sq ft and for sale at £385,000, and with lease terms ranging from three to 15 years.

Between them these buildings could generate 40 jobs, but the final phase, for which Northminster Properties also has planning consent, involves two more plots on which it intends to build 5,500 sq ft offices on one and 6,000 sq ft on the other, both tailor-made to buyers' specifications.

Alistair Gill, of King Sturge, said: "Those firms showing an interest so far are from a wide range of sectors, including science and IT-based businesses from outside looking to join a city with growing scientific and high-tech credentials."

Many, he said, were attracted by the landscaping and attention to detail, such as glazed entrance lobbies, American oak hand rails, raised floors and suspended ceilings, "plus the fact that the business park is in a broadband-enabled area."

The park began to take shape when Northminster developments converted and refurbished the Challis distribution centre into high-tech and industrial/ warehouses units.

Then came the first of the speculatively-built offices on 20,000 sq ft, each named after trees - Box Tree House, Sycamore House, Chestnut House, Cedar House, Oak Tree House, Beech House and Rowan House.

All were sold, with organisations like York Bioanalytical, African Pride, the Wilberforce Trust and Premier Endoscopy all moving in.

The next phase, finished early last year, was Holly Tree House, where Northminster Properties itself took one of the three units.

Updated: 11:34 Thursday, October 28, 2004