A £5.5M development is well under way on York's Science Park.

Its main aim is providing office accommodation for new and expanding technology-based companies.

It marks the continuation of a partnership between Malton companies, S Harrison Construction, responsible for the construction of the offices, and building control specialists, Ryedale Building Control. The companies are also builder and end user. Ryedale Building Control will be moving into new premises on the Science Park development, built by Harrison.

Les Chapman, of Ryedale Building Control, said: "We are forming a partnership with the building control department of Selby District Council, and so we are looking forward to moving into new, larger, modern premises.

"We have worked in partnership with Harrison on countless projects, but none so far where we have had a vested interest in the quality of the building."

Stephen Jenneson, Harrison's construction director, said: "It's an interesting situation - the building inspectors inspecting their own building, but I'm sure they won't be disappointed with the new offices."

The development is due to be completed in August. The newly-formed North Yorkshire Building Control Partnership will be occupying one of the buildings with the Yorkshire Housing Trust, another is taken by software systems company Pindar Systems plc, which will be moving its York office to the Science Park.

Technology companies Infocom, shortly to become Ioko365, Vita Nuova and Salamander are also relocating to the park.