WORK is to start on the former Lister Petter site in Dursley following a joint announcement this week by the regional development agency and the developers.

The South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and St Modwen Developments Limited announced on Wednesday that they have agreed terms to buy and refurbish the former Lister Petter office facilities of Drake House.

Work can now begin on the site for the mixed-use scheme known as Littlecombe.

Town Mayor Cllr Timothy Frankau welcomed the progress.

He told the Gazette: "It is always good to see projects moving forward. It is an exciting time for Dursley."

Ian Knight, South West RDA head of operations Gloucestershire described the agreement as great news.

"After years of planning we can now see the fruits of our labour, with St Modwen developing the first empty space under the joint venture agreement between St Modwen and ourselves to regenerate the site," he said.

"Over the coming months we will see what we have been talking about actually happen on site."

Drake House will undergo a four-month period of extensive refurbishment, to include new access facilities, lift and splitting up of the accommodation.

The accommodation will be available in July/August and will provide office suites from 500 sq ft through to the whole building of 22,615 sq ft.

This first phase of redevelopment of the 92-acre site will be followed in the summer by a new business park, which will enable the relocation of existing on-site employers as well as new tenants into a range of purpose-built units providing work space for 550-600 people.

Rupert Joseland, of St Modwen Developments Limited, said: "We are delighted to have started works on site, showing both South West RDA's and St Modwen's commitment to the regeneration of the site and bringing forward the employment element in the early stages."

For more information on the new office accommodation contact Ash & Co on 01452 300433.