On 5 September 2007 Cabinet declared the land is surplus to the requirements of the Council Following an approach from an adjoining owner with regard to a scheme that offers potential benefits to the economy of the district and of the town, coupled with the potential to enhance the local environment by remodelling the current area, perhaps including public art commissioned from a local school or college.

Agents negotiated terms for the disposal and these were approved in December 2007 including the sale of the land to the developer in return for a capital receipt and an undertaking that the southern part of the land will be landscaped and maintained at the expense of the developer as public open space, including for the selection of art or sculpture following a competition involving local schools and colleges.

The disposal was affected by changing circumstances and has not yet been completed.

Use this link to view the full Formal Decision.