THE site of the near-derelict Temperance Hotel, in Craven Arms, one of the town centre's eyesores is going to be put on sale for housing redevelopment.

A deal has been finally struck between the owners of the hotel and South Shropshire District Council.

The hotel has been the subject of a current compulsory purchase order (CPO) since January after years of negotiation failed to secure it as the new home for the county council's Countryside Unit.

Now it has been decided to keep the unit at the old Pukka Palace building in Shrewsbury Road. The deal ensures the hotel site, at the entrance to the town's railway station and in the town centre regeneration area, will be developed and improved within an agreed timescale.

"We can now lift the CPO because the county council no longer needs the site which coincides with a technical change in ownership of the land and property," said SSDC chief executive Graham Biggs.

"We have secured a commitment from the owner to put the property on the market as available for redevelopment for residential use.

"While in some ways it is disappointing that the building and site will not come into public sector ownership, removing the present eyesore is a positive outcome."

The council would reserve the right to re-apply a CPO if progress was not made on a reasonable schedule, he added.

The move was also welcomed by Councillor Heather Kidd, leader of SSDC.

"Resolving the problem of a derelict building that sits on a prominent site is another significant step on the way to regenerating Craven Arms," she said.

"Clearly a town that looks attractive is more likely to attract businesses, residents and visitors who spend money.