A LANDMARK York building has been sold for more than £1.1 million pounds - to a church organist.

Property developer and musician William Legard has been named as the winner of the controversial bidding war to buy the Bonding Warehouse, on York's riverside.

Mr Legard, of Waterfront House Ltd, based in Lowthorpe, near Driffield, is expected to turn the derelict Grade II listed warehouse into offices and apartments.

City of York Council leader, Coun Steve Galloway, said he was looking forward to new life being breathed into the "eyesore" building.

He said: "I'm very pleased that the derelict building is going to be brought back into use.

"It will improve that part of the river frontage and will be an asset to the city as well as providing more homes for people."

Mr Legard, who plays the organ at St Martin's Church, in Burton Agnes, was unavailable for comment.

But a council spokesperson said she understood he intended to turn the warehouse into a mixture of office accommodation and apartments.

Coun Galloway said: "It is now in the hands of the owner, but his use for the building will be subject to planning permission, so it will be a little while until anything can be done.

"It will require substantial investment to make it suitable for any kind of activity."

Some of the money from the £1.151 million sale will be ploughed into capital projects across York.

Coun Galloway said: "There was a lease on the premises and the lease holder has to be brought out, so not all of the capital receipt will accrue to the council, but a significant proportion will.

"It will be used to invest in improvements to the city, including improving leisure facilities, modernising homes and improving the outer ring road.

"But bringing the Bonding Warehouse back into use is the most important aspect of the deal.

"It's in a very prominent location and was becoming a bit of an eyesore."