PLANS to develop pockets of land in Yorkshire are moving forward with the announcement of the preferred bidders for three sites.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has given the private sector the chance to develop areas as part of its development partnership programme.

Firms are committed to developing more than 185,000sq metres of mainly industrial accommodation on sites at Sherburn, Grimsby and Bridlington.

More than 60,000sq metres is due to be built on in the first year.

Eileen Molloy, head of property development at Yorkshire Forward, said: "This framework has proved to be popular with the property development sector.

"Each of the developers has made firm commitments to the delivery of specific developments over three years.

"If these are not achieved, the partnership can be terminated, but we are confident that our partners will deliver property to the highest standard, and on time.

Gladman Developments will develop a 48,000sq metre building at Sherburn Enterprise Park, in North Yorkshire.

David Gladman, of Gladman Developments, said: "The size of this building represents a substantial investment and demonstrates our confidence in this site, which is ideal for many large businesses."

Wykeland Properties will be responsible for encouraging development activity on the popular Europarc site at Grimsby. Carnaby Industrial Estate is the smallest of the sites, and will be developed by AMCO Developments.

Project details for the site at Gateway Goole are still being finalised with the preferred bidder, whose identity will be announced in the near future.