HOPES have been raised that one of York’s biggest developments could be on the verge of revival after a string of firms handed in bids to take on the project.

Most of the former Terry’s chocolate factory site – earmarked for a £165 million scheme including hundreds of new homes as well as hotels, shops, bars and restaurants – was put up for sale earlier this year after plans for its transformation stalled.

The deadline for parties interested in moving the development – which could create 2,700 new jobs – forward expired on Friday.

York property firm Savills, which is handling the sale of 27 of the site’s 33 acres, said there had been a “very good response” from companies in Yorkshire and across the UK.

The responses will now be assessed before the next steps in the potential sale of the site, which was previously set to be developed by York-based Grantside, are taken.

Matthew Jones, of Savills, said: “We got a good range of bids and more than ten businesses came forward to register their interest in total.

“It was a very positive reaction and one which we are happy with. We have now got to go through the due diligence process and filter these bids.” Mr Jones said the bids had been submitted on a “local, regional and national scale” from developers and other companies looking to invest in the site following an informal tender process.

Mr Jones said most of those who registered their interest were looking at a similar development to the scheme Grantside had planned.

“It is a very good mixed-use site and those looking for the right site are prepared to invest in it,” he said.

The chocolate factory closed in 2005 and was bought by Grantside for £26 million the following year. The company’s original proposals were controversially rejected by City of York Council before a fresh application was approved 18 months later.