IT has stood empty and derelict for nearly six years.

But today The Press can reveal York's Bonding Warehouse could be "on the market within weeks".

The long-running saga, which has left the Skeldergate landmark dilapidated and a city eyesore, is finally set to be resolved, with council chiefs earmarking the listed property for housing.

Members of City of York Council's executive are preparing to meet on September 12 with leader Steve Galloway saying the authority has to "take action".

The Bonding Warehouse has been standing empty ever since it was devastated by flooding in November 2000.

The Grade II listed building was designed by the city surveyor George Styan in 1875 and stands on a site which had been used since the 12th Century to control the port of York.

The council claims that, since the floods, the leaseholders Lionel Davis and Keith Carby have not traded from the building or paid rent and have "allowed the premises to fall into disrepair". It has been subject to a 50-year lease since 1978.

At the meeting, members will discuss two options - pursue the leaseholders through the courts or attempt to forge a compromise with the leaseholders to sell the building.

Coun Galloway said it could be possible to convert the building to residential housing, particularly if the ground floor could be waterproofed.

A bridge, linking the building to higher ground on Skeldergate, could also be needed - ensuring access in the event of any further flooding.

But while the moves to revamp the building have been welcomed, tourist chiefs today said it would be "a missed opportunity" if it was handed over entirely to housing.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "We very much welcome the news that the building will be revamped. However if the final use was purely residential we feel that - for such a key site - this could be a missed opportunity.

"The building has huge potential and could be used to provide some form of leisure venue for both residents and visitors to York."

Coun Quentin Macdonald, the council's resources chief, said: "I think it is preferable to work with the leaseholder to sell the building in its current state, and hope that the building can be brought into a good condition in the near future.

"The building could be offered for sale with a view to converting it to residential premises as soon as possible.

"Ultimately, the highest priority is that this building is brought back to a state of good repair, so that it can once again be an attractive addition to the riverscape, rather than the eyesore the leaseholder has allowed it to become.

Coun Galloway said "We have to take some action on this building, as with 22 years to run there is a long wait before the original lease expires. I am keen to move forward with our plans to sell the building, and would like to see the Bonding Warehouse on the market within weeks."

The tenants were unavailable for comment.

Timeline>

  • November 2000 - The building is devastated by flooding
  • June 2004 - Warehouse is nominated in The Press as one of York's worst eyesores
  • July 2004 - Council threatens to take action if the tenants don't restore the building
  • July 2004 - Officers and tenants meet to discuss the future of the Grade II listed building
  • August 2004 - Squatters occupy the site
  • September 2004 - Civic leaders suggest turning the building into a "hub" for city youth activities
  • March 2005 - Council threatens the tenants with court proceedings for "rent arrears".
  • November 2005 - Tenants deny turning down a £250,000 council offer to surrender the lease
  • January 2006 - The building mooted as possible venue for new Arc Light centre
  • August 2006 - Council orders tenants to repair and reoccupy the building
  • September 2006 - Council says building could be "on the market within weeks"

Three elements crucial to success of housing sketch plan, says conservation chief

A SKETCH scheme to convert the Bonding Warehouse into housing has been discussed with the council's senior conservation planner.

Council leader Steve Galloway said an architect-led scheme was commissioned to "design elements that would allow the premises to be converted to residential use".

These included:

  • A pedestrian link bridge and landing to the high ground in Skeldergate to provide access to the building in the event of flooding
  • A new vertical "circulation core" to provide easy access to the upper floors of the building
  • A new inset mansard roof over the two-storey part of the building "to provide additional accommodation in the roof space".

The response from the council's conservation planner was that all three elements would be needed to "make this listed building work, given the problems of flooding".

In November 2005, English Heritage confirmed that they wished to see the building brought back to life and had no objection to the principal of residential use.

The body has not yet provided any advice on the three "design elements".