A BUSINESS park developer has submitted a planning application for a £2.5 million speculative new business park in York.

Rose Centre Business Park completed the purchase of the land in the last couple of weeks and has submitted plans for the first of a three-phase development.

It hopes The Rose Centre will house 18 industrial and warehouse units, range in size from 1,225 sq ft to 3,060 sq ft, at York Business Park in Nether Poppleton when complete.

The first phase includes plans for eight units which if successful, could be ready for occupation in June or July next year, with construction starting in the New Year.

Garry Barker, managing director of Rose Centre Business Park Limited and a local developer with schemes in Ripon and elsewhere in the local area, said: “I am delighted to be launching this new speculative commercial property development.

“York continues to be a vibrant centre for small businesses and business confidence is undoubtedly improving. I am sure these new units will prove popular to opportunity for occupiers looking to either buy or rent”.

Richard Flanagan, of Flanagan James Property Consultants, who is marketing the scheme, alongside GVA in Leeds, said that the fact the scheme was being developed speculatively was a great sign of confidence in York as a destination for business.

And businesses have already shown interest in the scheme.

"We have just commenced formal marketing of the scheme, and already have heads of terms out to a couple of potential purchasers who wish to take advantage of the attractive and established location," he said.

"There has been little investment in this market sector over the last few years and it is refreshing to see some commercial development being undertaken to assist local businesses and therefore the local economy."