A report is set to go before councillors at the infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee on 17 June recommending the land at Mitchell Way is put on the market.

A preferred developer was selected for site in February 2014 with plans to construct new housing and retail units in the area. The bid was dependent on securing a supermarket operator for a 35,000 sq ft foodstore on the site but due to a downturn in the grocery food retail sector, the developer was unable to deliver on this aspect of the plan.

The council is now to consider seeking another development firm to take the opportunity forward. The plans have been redrawn to incorporate a smaller food store of up to 17,000 sq ft - which would be more attractive to food retailers - as well as a number of other shop units.

Partial demolition work is being undertaken by the council which will improve the appearance of the site and prepare the area for future development.

The council recently invested over £700,000 in improvement works at the south end of Mitchell Way, which is not included in the development site. The project removed dated canopies from the shop units, installed new shopfronts, signage and lighting and created public art in conjunction with pupils from nearby St Mary’s Primary School.

The committee will also be asked to approve the demolition of vacant properties in Mitchell Way when it meets later this month.

Richard Cairns, executive director of infrastructure and regeneration, said: “We are confident that we can and will attract developers interested in taking this project forward.

“Development is already underway in Alexandria with a local housing association beginning work on a new residential development and the Council set to begin demolition at Mitchel Way. We await the committee’s decision on Mitchell Way and if granted approval will start work on marketing the site immediately with the aim of selecting a developer early next year.”