CHIPPENHAM NEWS EXCLUSIVE: LONG-AWAITED plans for the dilapidated Goldiggers building in Chippenham were set to take a massive leap forward last night, ending weeks of uncertainty.

It is believed Tribecka Land Ltd's contract to take over and redevelop the site in Timber Street was handed over to the building's owners, North Wiltshire District Council, on Wednesday.

The Buckinghamshire-based developer appeared to have fallen at the first hurdle two weeks ago when it failed to meet the deadline to exchange contracts.

But just days away from the district council's behind-closed-doors meeting about the future of the site, Tribecka now appears to have its contract in place.

A local authority insider revealed talks were near completion and said all that was left was for councillors to accept the contract terms at last night's meeting.

"After the bidder failed to meet the deadline everything was up in the air again but hopefully it will now be sorted out," he said.

"The executive said they would take a firm stance on this. If they decided not to go with Tribecka there is always the second option, or the whole thing could be thrown open again."

The future of the Goldiggers' building has been in the balance since it closed in August 2000. The site was put back on the market last year after a deal with developer E&J Redditch Ltd fell through.

Tribecka has been told it must keep Goldigger's faade, but it plans to demolish the rest of the building and replace it with shops and food outlets on the ground floor and flats above.

The district council aims to complete the deal by August 20, but even with the tight deadlines, redevelopment of the site is not likely to be finished until 2005.

Town council leader Sandie Webb said: "It is absolutely vital that this area of the town is improved because it is gradually going into decline and has become a bit of a ghost area.

"I'm pleased the district council has told Tribecka that the faade has to be kept because it is part of the site's heritage."

Some civic leaders have questioned why Tribecka was given the go-ahead, calling for a community-type project to take over the building instead.

District councillor Tim Northey was pleased progress was being made but felt the local authority had missed a unique opportunity.

He said: "The council could have provided something for the community. We need a community hall of some sort we don't need more shops and offices.

"I think future generations will look back on the decision as a chance missed."

Bidding for the former nightclub heated up at the end of last year with retail giants Marks & Spencer and the Astoria Cinema ranking as the most popular choices.

Baptist minister the Rev David Slater of Chippenham's Station Hill Baptist Church, submitted proposals for a community and Christian resource centre. But the application was ruled out because the cash he was offering to the district council fell short of other bids.

Tribecka was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.