EXPANDING UK and international property developer Candelisa has seen profits in its housing division surge by 416 per cent over the past 12 months as it grows its residential development business .

Candelisa has announced profits of more than £3.2 million in its UK housing division against £620,000 a year earlier.

The firm has also moved from Ilkley to a larger base in Skipton at one of its own flagship developments.

The company has moved to 4,000 sq ft of purpose built offices at Caroline House at Providence Quarter, Candelisa’s refurbishment and conversion of the former Skipton Building Society headquarters into 47 apartments, which sold out in just five weeks.

The upper floor of Caroline House comprises apartments which have also all been sold. The new base provides space for future expansion.

Guy Taylor, Candelisa managing director, said: "This is an exciting time for the business as we look to expand into new areas.

"Traditionally we have focused on refurbishment and regeneration projects with a strong emphasis on design and individuality. We are now using those skills and philosophies to provide fully bespoke new build housing.

"Too much of the new build market is dominated by the major players whose product offering is predictable, repetitive and unimaginative, and we are looking to change that.

‘Furthermore we are privately funded which means we can react quickly to opportunities as they arise.’

Candelisa has approved planning permission in place to build 291 new homes in areas including North Leeds, Harrogate and the Craven district, which it expects to complete over the next 18 months and is seeking more land in premium locations.

Candelisa currently employs 15 people and has residential schemes in Barbados as well as the UK.

Yorkshire housebuilder Ben Bailey Homes has changed its name to Avant Homes to match its parent company name. The company's local projects include Chevin Park in Menston and Apperley Green in Apperley Bridge, Bradford.

Meanwhile, property agent Dacres Commercial has let and sold more than 30,000 sq ft of office space in Ilkley and surrounding villages since the start of 2015.

It recently let more than 5,200 sq ft of former office space on Riverside Business Park, Ilkley, to Heavy Metal Gym which has expanded into the three storey building from a smaller unit at the business park.

This follows a series of lettings at Ilkley’s International Development Centre . Over the last six months the firm has also agreed lease renewals on around 20,000 sq ft of space in the former International Wool Secretariat building.