CHELMSFORD City Council is preparing to shell out £5 million for the old gas works site in Wharf Road.

For 12 years, the council, which aims to buy the land for “strategic purposes”, was unable to broker a deal with landowner National Grid, after a series of negotiations collapsed.

But now, the National Grid has agreed to sell up after reviewing its land portfolio, sparking the council to strike up a deal.

If the council’s bid is successful, the gasworks will be bulldozed and part of the land will be used as a car park, according to Councillor Roy Whitehead, the council leader.

An agreement has also been reached between the authority and Taylor Wimpey, one of the UK’s most prolific property developers.

Contracts between the two have already been drawn up, subject to Taylor Wimpey winning planning permission for its latest venture.

Although it is unknown how many homes will be built, the Weekly News understands a planning application has been submitted.

Mr Whitehead said: “We’ve been wanting to purchase the land for a number of years for strategic reasons, but one minute National Grid were willing to sell, then the next they weren’t.

“It has taken us 12 years to acquire it.

“There is a car park on the site so initially it will be used as a car park – we will get rid of the old gas works that are there.

“After that who knows what it will be used for?

“We wanted to buy the land for strategic purposes – we own all of the land around it.”

The news came after the council published its cabinet meeting agenda for next Tuesday.

The report concluded: “The proposed acquisition of the site will enable the council to secure the purchase of a strategic parcel of land at Chelmer Waterside.

“In addition, the council owns the adjoining land to the site and given this will be able to ensure the proper planning of the area and the development of the city centre in the future.”