High demand from investors has resulted in the o1.7 million Omega development of six offices at Monks Cross North in York completely selling off plan, before a brick has been laid. Construction of Omega starts in October and is due for completion in April next year. The huge demand from investors and owner-occupiers at the business park has prompted Helmsley and its clients Monks Cross Partnership to submit a planning application for the next phase of development on the site. Plot 6b, or Sigma as it will be known, will be a similar development to the successful Omega and Alpha schemes and will be built between the Omega site and Norwich Union Life's premises. The plan is that the moment contractors finish working on Omega, they can transfer to the new two acre development in April or May 2006 to enable the latest phase to be ready for occupation in early 2007. Helmsley director Richard Peak says: "Due to demand outstripping supply ay least one company had to be turned way from the Omega development but I'm pleased to confirm that we are now in detailed discussions to allow them to earmark a purpose built unit within the proposed 29,000 sq ft Sigma scheme." Commenting on the demand for the properties Richard Peak says: "We are noticing a growing trend that investors are turning from housing, which has become more uncertain lately, to commercial property, which is still buoyant and generating good returns. "Owner-managers are also looking to buy their own premises and many are using their pension funds to make the purchases. The schemes at Monks Cross North offer businesses high quality office space at affordable prices. The high level of demand for these schemes show that if you provide the right products built to the right quality at the right price, then there is still a very buoyant market in commercial property."