BUILDING work is under way on a £9m new development at Thorp Arch Estate near Wetherby - the biggest in the estate's 50 year history.

Structural steel framework for the 21 high-quality small business units, totalling 25,600 sq ft, and five larger warehouse and workshop units totalling 44,280 sq ft, is now in place ahead of schedule.

The work is being carried out by Malton-based S Harrison Construction for business park development specialists, Arlington Development Management which is creating the new units for estate owners Hanover Property Unit Trust.

The new development aims to meet demand from businesses wanting to locate to the 385-acre business and retail estate set in attractive, secure parkland created from the bleak landscape of a former war time munitions factory.

Large amounts of concrete and brickwork from the old factory buildings have been recycled into the groundworks for the new development.

Chris Walker, operations director for S Harrison Construction, said: "While many people believe that construction companies move in and uproot everything in their path, we have demonstrated that this is not the case.

At Harrison we are highly sensitive to environmental issues and have worked closely with Thorp Arch Estate in preserving these important aspects of the site."

Bob Ellis, director of Wharfedale Property Management Ltd, which manages the estate for the Trust, says: "We are proud of our environment which has been created by working with nature for more than 20 years. The whole development team is working together to preserve the results of this for future occupiers of the estate."

The new units are due to complete in November and property consultants and agents Kings Sturge, Leeds, say that there is already a high level of interest from businesses throughout the region.

Updated: 09:09 Tuesday, July 27, 2004