A speculative office development at York Business Park will kick start a master plan to develop ten more acres on the Poppleton site over the next three to four years - and generate about 10,000 jobs.

Building is in progress for the first three of eight high-spec, high-tech office units known collectively as Ten White Rose Way, the first of which should be ready for leasing by the end of July or beginning of August. Collectively the offices are expected to accommodate more than 400 people.

Owner Evans Property Group of Leeds says that Ten White Rose Way will trigger its plan for phased speculative builds on a site already allocated for employment use - up to another 200,000 sq ft which would represent about 2,000 more jobs for the city.

Already York Inward Investment Board is working with agents preparing to drum up interest, particularly from the IT and financial services sector whose executives may be keen to move into what is a BT e-location site on York's outer ring road close to the A59.

Graeme Rudd, client services executive for York IIB, said: "This is great news. It comes at a time when doubts are being cast on the capability of neighbouring cities like Leeds and Sheffield to meet rising demand for quality offices.

"This project and the potential on the ten acres which has excellent communication links and a high calibre of available IT infrastructure will offer a great opportunity for big business to find an alternative for their northern or even UK bases.

"It will also represent chance for indigenous companies to upgrade their accommodation, freeing up other premises for inward investors."

The new offices totalling about 41,000 sq ft, will vary in size, ranging from 2,350 sq ft to 6,100 sq ft. Joint agents Lawrence, Hannah & Skelton of York and King Sturge of Leeds are quoting rentals of £13.50 per sq ft.

Richard Flanagan, partner with Lawrence Hannah & Skelton said: "The fact that this is a BT e-location makes it very attractive, especially as Hudson Court opposite houses the likes of Thus Plc, or Scottish Telecom as well as Orange, plus the serious option of joining the BT network.

"Another big lure is the fact that so many other enterprises are already established on the business park, including Maxi's Chinese Restaurant and the Wetherby Whaler as well as a brand new £4.5 million LivingWell health club."