COUNCIL bosses are drawing up a blueprint for the redevelopment of the Terry's factory, following its closure next year.

They say a single, comprehensive vision is needed, creating a distinctive campus or village style.

They outline several possible uses for parts of the site - from a Yorkshire Regional Assembly or business HQ to a boutique-style hotel to link up with the nearby racecourse.

Efforts to maintain and celebrate Terry's long heritage and links with York are also planned, although it is not yet known if a heritage attraction - such as a chocolate museum or centre - could be created.

City of York Council's position over the Terry's site, following confirmation by parent company Kraft that it is to close next year, is outlined in a report to next Tuesday's executive meeting by Tony Bennett, assistant director of economic development.

He says the site could help the city fill a gap in the supply of quality land, until key developments such as York Central and Heslington East come on stream in 2008.

"The site is designated for employment use and this is seen as the principal focus for its future use - meeting clear needs," he said.

Mr Bennett said Terry's was an important landmark in the city, combining with the racecourse and parkland setting of the Knavesmire to provide a unique element of the built environment.

He said the landmark buildings provided a special image or identity for prestigious headquarters. "The potential for the Regional Assembly, public sector or business HQ functions is considerable."

He said the site might meet demand by Science City York for accommodation for research, service-based businesses, studio-style activity and production across the bioscience, IT and digital and creative technology sectors.

His report said the racecourse had extensive conference/meeting room capability, but it was not used to its full potential, partly because of the lack of adjacent hotel facilities.

"The Kraft site provides the opportunity to address this shortfall, for example using the upper floors of the main block for hotel use."

A boutique-style hotel, combined with the racecourse, could greatly enhance the city's potential to attract high spend business conferences. The report said manufacturing on the site was desirable, but some degree of housing - "complementary to and incidental to employment use" - was not ruled out.

Updated: 08:43 Wednesday, July 14, 2004