DEVELOPERS interested in buying one of York’s biggest development sites – the former Terry’s chocolate factory – have until Friday to submit their bids.

Agents York property firm Savills, who are handling the sale and have marketed it as “an iconic mixed-use development opportunity”, have set a deadline of June 15 for the Bishopthorpe Road site.

Matthew Jones, of Savills, said there had been huge interest from across the country in the £165 million scheme, but no offers as yet.

Mr Jones said on discussion with owners Grantside they had decided an informal tender was the best option.

Grantside, the York-based developers of the former chocolate factory, put 27 of the site’s 33-acre site on the market in March.

The site, where famous products such as the world-famous Chocolate Orange were produced, closed in September 2005. Grantside bought it for £26 million the following year after its then agents put it up for informal tender.

The firm were finally granted planning permission two years ago, 18 months after the council had controversially rejected the company’s original proposals.

The plan was to create 2,700 new jobs and hundreds of new homes as well as injecting fresh business to the area, by building two prestigious hotels, shops, bars and restaurants.

Part of the site has already been demolished to make way for the first phase of the development as the site when weeks later the site was advertised for sale. Steve Davies, Grantside managing director, told The Press he planned to sell a chunk of the site earmarked for residential use.

Mr Jones said tender packs detailing the site had been sent to those who had expressed an interest in the site.

The packs will guide potential developers as to what would be acceptable uses for the landmark factor and surrounding complex.

He said: “We decided an informal tender would be the best way to do it, and Friday was the date we set.

“There has been plenty of interest and now we will wait to see what happens.

“Those interested will put their bids in and we will assess the bids on their merits.”

For further information visit http://www.savills.co.uk/estate-agents/savills-york.aspx