The first two phases of a new business park at Leeds Bradford Aiport have been sold for a total of more than £16m - months before the completion of building work.

All seven two-storey units in the business park being developed by Leeds-based property company Rushbond Plc in association with Leeds Bradford International Airport have been sold in a series of deals.

The first two phases, which total 80,000 sq ft of office space, have been sold to businesses including market research company, Nunwood Consulting; specialist sub-contractor, Airedale Mechanical and Electrical; Towergate Insurance, developer and contractor, Jack Lunn; Leeds Bradford International Airport and Harrogate-based property investment company, Westcourt Properties, which has acquired two 8,000 sq ft units.

Construction work at the eight-acre Airport West Business Park, which is being developed speculatively, started in Autumn 2005 and the developers say Phases I and 2 are on schedule for occupation this Spring.

Rushbond Plc development director, Mike Hartley, says: "It is very unusual to complete the sale of office units before practical completion.

"This success is a reflection of the quality of the location, close to Leeds Bradford International Airport and easily-accessible from north Leeds and the quality of the office units themselves.

"While we were confident about this scheme from the start, this location was unproven for a business park and so we are especially pleased that take-up has exceeded our expectations."

Rushbond says the quick sale of the first two phases of the business park, designed by Leeds-based DLA Architecture, means that plans are being brought forward to build Phases III and IV which will comprise six office units totalling 90,000 sq ft. Building work is due to start this Spring.

Joint agents for Airport West are the Leeds offices of King Sturge and Sanderson Weatherall.