A COUNCILLOR is calling on the borough council to step in to help redevelop the old Royal Mail sorting office.
Cllr Les Marriott wants Northampton Borough Council to do all it can to get a developer interested in the site.
Planning permission was granted for a supermarket to be built on the site on Barrack Road, Northampton, but Tesco who were initially interested pulled out.
Cllr Marriott said the now derelict building had become an ‘eyesore’.
Cllr Marriott said: “I think the Borough Council needs to try and do more to get this site sorted.
“It has now become the biggest eyesore in the town, especially for Semilong residents. For almost ten years now it has been standing there empty, attracting litter and vandalism.
“Semilong Community Forum has had contact with Royal Mail about the site but we need our local authority more involved to try and get things progressing more quickly.
“I raised this issue at full Council by saying it is perceived that the regeneration of this site is not being pursued with as much vigour as other town centre sites and I urge the Cabinet to take swift action.
“It was highly regrettable that Tesco pulled out but there is still planning permission in place for a supermarket.”
Cllr David Mackintosh, leader of the council, said: “It would be great to see something happen quickly.
“The borough council doesn’t own the site. Planning permission was given to Tesco but they unfortuantely pulled out.
“We have regular talks with Royal Mail and I would love to see something happen there quickly and regenerate that part of Northampton but it is not our gift to do so.”