BOSSES at Birmingham Metropolitan College have announced they have selected a preferred developer for the long-derelict Longlands School site in Stourbridge.

After a series of meetings with potential buyers before Christmas - site owners BMet and Dudley Council, which also owns part of the old school land, say they have selected a developer to work.

Discussions also took place with councillors and Stourbridge MP Margot James.

Gill Coldicott, head of Stourbridge College, said a number of competitive bids were received from interested developers which were shortlisted and assessed and she added: "A preferred developer for the site has now been agreed, with contract terms currently being finalised.

"The preferred developer will be undertaking on-site survey works in the near future.

“In the meantime, security patrols continue to discourage individuals from entering the site.”

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, Dudley's cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “We have been working really hard in partnership with BMet for some time to bring this site back to a suitable use and we are delighted that it is paying off.

“The council has already formally agreed to dispose of its part of the site which will help speed up the process to an amicable conclusion and not only improve the quality of life for people living near there but also bring an exciting new development forward.”

It is the second time the partially listed site has been ‘under offer’.

Cameron Homes was previously selected as the preferred developer to breathe new life into the Brook Street site but the company pulled out of the deal last summer after undertaking preparatory work and surveys.

The former school and art college has become overgrown and a haven for vandals since it was mothballed in 2011 when Stourbridge College art students moved to a brand new campus in Brierley Hill.

Earlier this month the News published striking video footage, captured on camera by film-maker and urban explorer Ian Macey, which shows the site in the Old Quarter is fast being reclaimed by nature.

To see the original full length video click here.