ONE of the last and most expensive pieces of development land in Petersfield looks set to become a massive do-it-yourself store.
The Herald has learnt this week that the former coalyard next to the railway station, owned by Railtrack, has been sold to Focus DIY.
The future of the land was thrown into doubt last month when Railtrack announced that the deal with developers Quadrant Estates, which had planning permission to build three retail units on the site, was off.
In a surprise move Railtrack said it had sold the land to another developer.
Making the announcement, a 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
Last summer Quadrant announced that High Street giants Laura Ashley, Scats and Majestic Wine were all set to move into Petersfield when the long-awaited new retail park was completed on the former coalyard.
There were also plans to open a health and fitness club on the site.
But the future of the site has now been thrown back into the melting pot.
A spokesman for East Hampshire District Council said a planning application had not been received from Focus.