06 September 2010
News
`HYBRID’ SCHEME TO AID HITECH SECTOR GROWTH (27/03/2007)
Fast-growing hi-tech and science-based businesses in York are soon to get an opportunity to expand their operation at a new dedicated office park.
Building work has started on a pioneering new £5m hi-tech office scheme – the first of its kind in York – called Novus and comprising eight `hybrid’ units specifically designed to meet the needs of science and technology enterprises.
Construction work started this week (March 26) by Leeds-based GMI construction Group Plc on the two-storey units, which range from 3,750 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft, at York Business Park.
The units, in landscaped setting, will have dedicated loading areas, allocated car parking, cycle park facilities and CCTV security.
The units, the first development of their kind by Business Living Ltd, part of Evans Property Group, Leeds, will comprise offices on the first floor while the ground-floor area will be flexible so it can be used as laboratories, technological assembly areas or storage space.
The hybrid units are available freehold or leasehold and are designed for ultimate flexibility to cater for a wide range of business uses.
The scheme will be adjacent to another development by Business Living, which is due to start construction work later this spring on a new high-specification, two-storey, pavilion-style office scheme where units will also be available to buy or lease.
Business Living managing director, Iain Robertson, says: “York is rightly proud of the continuing success of its fast-growing hi-tech sector in which many businesses are creating international reputations.
“However there is now a shortage of space for these enterprises to expand and the last thing York needs is for these businesses, many of which have huge potential and have developed on the back of home-grown expertise, to have to look outside the city in order to progress.
“We are creating these special hybrid units in recognition of this need and have experienced significant interest even before starting work on site. We are sure that this development will play a key role in the hi-tech science sector’s continuing success by helping to create a cluster of like-minded enterprises at the heart of a larger commercial development.”
The scheme, which is close to York ring road, is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Business Living is currently identifying sites around the UK for similar `hybrid’ developments.