Derelict fire-ravaged maltings at Mistley have been sold at last.

After weeks of rumours, Jonathan Frank, has confirmed Lexden Restorations have bought the School Lane maltings for an undisclosed sum.

A director of the Colchester-based company, Mr Frank revealed talks were still on-going between Tendring Council, Essex Council Council and English Heritage on the redevelopment of the site.

Mr Frank said: "It will be a wholly residential scheme and talks are continuing on all the options."

The company, he said, was hoping to be able to submit a planning application to the district council within the next eight weeks.

He was unable to say at the moment when work would begin on the site, but once planning approval was granted was expecting it could get underway by next summer.

Those living close to the Victorian listed maltings - two five storeys high and the other nine - will be keeping their fingers crossed the work goes ahead as quickly as possible.

Since the maltings were devastated by fire more than four years ago and reduced to a blackened shell, there have been repeated calls from councillors and residents alike for action.

There have been public meetings and petitions.

The old maltings, sandwiched on land between School Lane and California Road, were closed in 1982 and have stood empty ever since.

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