THE FUTURE of one of the last and most expensive pieces of development land left in Petersfield has been thrown into doubt this week.

Developers were expected to start building three retail units and a fitness club on the former coalyard site next to the station, providing stores for Laura Ashley, DIY giants Scats and Majestic Wine.

But Railtrack, which owns the site, has announced that the deal with developer Quadrant Estates, which had planning permission to build the three retail units there, is off.

In a surprise move Railtrack has sold the land to another developer, which a spokesman refused to name this week.

The Railtrack spokesman told The Herald: ÒThe site was under offer to Quadrant Estates, but Quadrant could not finalise the deal so the site was put back on the market. After the formal tender process we have now exchanged contracts with another bidder.Ó

She said the decision by Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State for Transport, to put Railtrack into administration Òhas had no impact on this deal at all.Ó

Chris Daniel for Quadrant Estates told The Herald he had been forced to re-tender and believed his bid had been second in line.

ÒI understand that the site has been bought by a retailer and the land now has the benefit of the planning permission I have obtained for three retail units and a health club,Ó he said.

He said he believed the new retailer would now go back to East Hampshire District Council to re-negotiate a completely new development.

Last summer Quadrant announced that High Street giants Laura Ashley, Scats and Majestic Wine were to set up on the long-awaited new retail park at the former coalyard in PetersfieldÕs Station Road.

Mr Daniel also announced that one of the countryÕs leading health club operators was set to open its doors in the health and fitness club which would be opened alongside the retail units.

The club was to be run by LA Fitness. It was to have been for private members and plans included a gym, swimming pool and aerobics facilities.

Mr Daniel told The Herald last July that he hoped work would begin on the site in September or October and the stores would be open for business by this summer.

Work on the first phase of the development by Railtrack was carried out last year and completed by the end of the summer.

It included an extension to the station car park and the building of a roundabout in Frenchmans Road to give access to the site.

The planning application hit problems at East Hampshire District Council last October when councillors said they were concerned about the lack of car parking provision on the site.

Planning officers had recommended permission and, after the submission of amended plans at the beginning of the year, permission was granted.