Proposale for Morlands include offices and a skate park

The South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) is asking the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for �10.6m to fund the next stage of the development of the Morlands site near Glastonbury.

So far, the RDA has spent �5m on acquiring the 30,000 square metres of derelict buildings at the factory, which made leather and sheepskin products for 150 years.

It has also carried out a public consultation and feasibility studies into how the site could be used.

Frustrating wait

Gordon Woodend, RDA head of operations for Somerset, said: "We are currently seeking approval from the DTI for the �10.6m funding for the next stage of the Morlands development.

"All projects bidding for funding of this size have to go through a rigorous appraisal process which takes time.

"We appreciate this is frustrating to businesses and the local community and we hope to have secured DTI funding for the next stage of development by the spring."

Once DTI funding has been approved, the next stage of the project will involve demolishing some buildings and removing contamination left at the site from the tanning process.

A skate park is due to be built as well as space for small and medium-sized businesses.