This is Bristol --
THE problem of dealing with one of the biggest eyesore buildings in Bristol could be solved within a matter of weeks.
The former Royal Mail sorting office has been left standing derelict for more than 16 years.
The rundown building, which is owned by an overseas property firm, is the first thing to greet visitors when they arrive in Bristol by train.
The building is also in the heart of Bristol's new Enterprise Zone and Bristol mayor George Ferguson has called on the owners to come up with a solution which would see a new use found for the property.
The sorting office is seen as a key property as part of the bid to breathe new life in the run-down area around the station.
Even the Prime Minister David Cameron has called on the owners to transform the building into a hub for modern businesses when he paid a visit to Bristol.
The Bristol Post understands the Local Enterprise Partnership is in discussions with the Malaysian firm which owns the building.
Planning permission was granted for a scheme in 2005 to turn it into flats, workspaces and offices but so far there has been no sign of any work taking place.
Colin Skellett, the chairman of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, has been involved in talks to get things moving at the site. It is believed the owners have been given a deadline and a solution is imminent.
Mr Skellett said: "Discussions are very active and ongoing. We are hopeful they will reach a conclusion."
One solution could be for the council to issue a compulsory purchase order. In the past councillors and MPs have called for action to be taken over the derelict building.
The building has been empty since Royal Mail vacated it and moved to Filton in 1997.
Over the years, the building has fallen into despair, attracted vandals and drug addicts and even became the scene of a serious accident in 2005, when Bedminster teenager Daniel Jones fell 20 feet through a glass roof while playing in the building. It is understood archaeological digs and clearance work has taken place on the site in recent years.
Shepherdess Holdings' sister company, Media Office, bought the site for £2 million in 2000. It outbid the South West Regional Development Agency, which wanted the site for the doomed Bristol Arena project.
Land on the opposite side of Cattle Market Road has since been earmarked for the arena.
Media Office won planning permission to convert the site into 107 flats, seven studio workspaces, walkways and offices in 2005.
According to the Land Registry, the site is now owned by the Malaysian based Kian Gwan Land Limited, which bought it for £5.3 million. Reported by This is 10 hours ago.
THE problem of dealing with one of the biggest eyesore buildings in Bristol could be solved within a matter of weeks.
The former Royal Mail sorting office has been left standing derelict for more than 16 years.
The rundown building, which is owned by an overseas property firm, is the first thing to greet visitors when they arrive in Bristol by train.
The building is also in the heart of Bristol's new Enterprise Zone and Bristol mayor George Ferguson has called on the owners to come up with a solution which would see a new use found for the property.
The sorting office is seen as a key property as part of the bid to breathe new life in the run-down area around the station.
Even the Prime Minister David Cameron has called on the owners to transform the building into a hub for modern businesses when he paid a visit to Bristol.
The Bristol Post understands the Local Enterprise Partnership is in discussions with the Malaysian firm which owns the building.
Planning permission was granted for a scheme in 2005 to turn it into flats, workspaces and offices but so far there has been no sign of any work taking place.
Colin Skellett, the chairman of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, has been involved in talks to get things moving at the site. It is believed the owners have been given a deadline and a solution is imminent.
Mr Skellett said: "Discussions are very active and ongoing. We are hopeful they will reach a conclusion."
One solution could be for the council to issue a compulsory purchase order. In the past councillors and MPs have called for action to be taken over the derelict building.
The building has been empty since Royal Mail vacated it and moved to Filton in 1997.
Over the years, the building has fallen into despair, attracted vandals and drug addicts and even became the scene of a serious accident in 2005, when Bedminster teenager Daniel Jones fell 20 feet through a glass roof while playing in the building. It is understood archaeological digs and clearance work has taken place on the site in recent years.
Shepherdess Holdings' sister company, Media Office, bought the site for £2 million in 2000. It outbid the South West Regional Development Agency, which wanted the site for the doomed Bristol Arena project.
Land on the opposite side of Cattle Market Road has since been earmarked for the arena.
Media Office won planning permission to convert the site into 107 flats, seven studio workspaces, walkways and offices in 2005.
According to the Land Registry, the site is now owned by the Malaysian based Kian Gwan Land Limited, which bought it for £5.3 million. Reported by This is 10 hours ago.