Rival bids made for Eastside land

Doubt was cast over current plans for the site last month when it was revealed agents for the landowner, the Baker Trust, proposed to put it on the open market for 1.75 million.

Despite lengthy on-going negotiations a deal between developer Bannertown and the Baker Trust has not been struck.

Bannertown had planned to open a 25 million business park, with two call centres creating up to 1,500 jobs, by the summer. But the deadline will not be met as both parties have yet to agree terms.

John Husband from Humberts, agents for the Baker Trust, said: 'There has been a lot of interest. The particulars have gone out to large number of people. We are still discussing matters with the existing potential purchaser and there are quite a lot of fresh ones coming in, too.'

However, he would not disclose how many other bidders there were.

Bannertown has warned that if its purchase of the land collapses any project with a new developer could take years to become a reality.

Work to build 95,000 square feet of warehouse units by Bannertown at the former Bevan Funnel site in Railway Road is due to start in the spring. If the Eastside project goes ahead Bannertown has also agreed to build a new port access road.