NEW steps to revamp a derelict and dilapidated York building have been given the thumbs up by the city's opposition.

Labour resources chief Coun Janet Looker said she "100 per cent agreed" with measures being taken to try to develop the Bonding Warehouse, in Skeldergate.

The Press exclusively reported yesterday how council chiefs said they were to "take action" over the building, which has stood empty and derelict since it was flooded in November, 2000.

Council leader Steve Galloway and members of City of York Council's executive will meet on September 12 to discuss the building's future.

Councillors will be asked to choose from two options - pursue the leaseholders through the courts or attempt to forge a compromise with the leaseholders to sell the building.

Coun Galloway said the building "could be on the market within weeks" and revealed tentative plans had been suggested to turn the building into riverside properties.

Coun Looker said: "I 100 per cent agree. Three or four years ago, we were talking about doing something with the leaseholders.

"I absolutely agree that we have got to take a decision on this and maybe call the leaseholders' bluff to a certain extent.

"They have had us over a barrel for longer than I care to think. We have got no problems with taking firm and immediate action."

But Coun Looker said she could not comment on speculation regarding a flats future for the Grade II listed building until she had seen the executive report.

Meanwhile, Coun Galloway said taking action on the Bonding Warehouse had been impossible until the council was confident an "alternative viable use" could be established.

He said that, in May, 2004, a flood risk assessment was commissioned which revealed that:

The premises are at a high risk of flooding from the River Ouse.
Constructing new defences around the site is unlikely to be an acceptable option.
Wet-proofing all fixtures, fittings and services on the ground floor and its use as a car parking area could be viable.
Dry flood proofing could allow the ground floor to be used for residential purposes.
A "permanent or demountable" pedestrian access could be constructed from the premises to the high ground in Skeldergate or high-level walkway from the first floor of premises to Skeldergate Bridge.

Discussions then took place with the City Strategy Conservation section to explore how the building could be evacuated if it flooded again and how to make greater use of the upper floors of the Bonding Warehouse.