STONEBOW House is widely regarded as one of the ugliest buildings in York.

There must be many a passerby who has wondered how on earth it could ever have been allowed. Even in the early 1960s, when it was built, critics were describing it as ‘hideous’ and ‘sheer visual misery’. Time hasn’t made it any more attractive.

Many people in York would probably be quite happy to see this unloved building demolished.

Any such move is still a long way off. But if City of York Council’s cabinet does agree tonight to spend £62,250 on buying the complete freehold of the building (currently shared with North Yorkshire County Council) at least the authority would be in a position to move quickly should the opportunity for redevelopment arise.

That may just be closer than many think. The leasehold of Stonebow House is part of the huge Tawny property portfolio. As a result of a collapse in value, that portfolio has now gone into receivership.

There must at least be a possibility, therefore, that the leasehold of Stonebow House could be acquired at a knockdown price – or failing that, of talks being held over the building’s future.

If York does buy North Yorkshire’s share of the freehold, it would be much better placed to act quickly to take advantage of any such situation.

There may be those who would raise their eyebrows at the thought of the council spending £62,250, even from its capital budget, on buying up the freehold at a time of austerity.

But if this paved the way for the ultimate redevelopment – or even demolition – of this eyesore, there may also be those who regarded it as cheap at the price.