New jobs could be created on the former ABB site within 12 months, following the completion today of a major restoration scheme.

Developers flying the flag to mark the finish of the nine-month programme said the land is now ready for builders to move in.

And owners English Partnerships revealed that several companies are already interested in locating there.

"Certainly this time next year we would anticipate seeing development on the site and jobs created" said Ian Bramley, senior development executive at English Partnerships.

"We are very confident that when we launch the marketing strategy for the site we will have considerable interest."

He added that that there are already detailed plans involving certain companies showing how they would use the land but he was keeping tight-lipped about their identity.

Over the last nine months Morrison Construction Ltd and its nine sub-contractors moved 80 thousand tonnes of clay and 22 thousand tonnes of stone, laid 4,800 tonnes of tarmac and installed more than 6,500 metres of cabling.

They cleared and levelled the site, build a new road leading on to the site, widened Poppleton Road, installed new traffic lights at the entrance to the site and built a new pedestrian footway and cycleway.

Steve Walsh, construction director for the North of England for the company, said that it had produced a platform for development.At peak times 80 to 90 people were employed in the work.

They had found a minimal amount of asbestos which had been removed in accordance with the latest industry practices. Further details emerged today on how the land will be used.

The new road divides the site roughly in two. The half nearest Poppleton Road will be used for offices, commercial organisations and professionals while the half nearest the railway line will used for either light or heavy industry or both.

Mr Bramley was hopeful that the industry would use the skills common among the York work force.

This autumn planting will begin on tree avenues to line Poppleton Road and the new road.

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