The massive former Yardley factory site could be split up and sold to different companies.

Councillors will tonight decide what planning rules to make should receivers KPMG find a buyer not wishing to take on the whole sprawling site, which measures at least 40,000 square metres.

If several companies occupying the site became an option for KPMG the new rules would mostly concern the open parts of the complex to ensure for example office workers did not have to overlook unsightly storage areas.

The use of suitable fencing and landscaping would also be subject to planning conditions.

Back in the early 1960s general industry planning consent for the purpose-built Yardley development was given under the New Town Act.

KPMG administrative receiver Roger Oldfield said the application to have permission for offices, general industry and distribution and storage areas was just a "formality" as they already exist.

He added: "You could have several users or may have a purchaser and a sub-purchaser. Anything's possible subject to planning consent."

Mr Oldfield was remaining tight-lipped about naming any major companies being interested in the site but said there had been "significant interest" in the former factory in Miles Gray Road.

More than 400 workers were made redundant when Yardley went into receivership last April.

Big sell off? - Yardley's former factory site

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