IT HAS been vacant since the spring of 2019.

But work at Bishop's Waltham Depot has been stalled time and time again – most recently due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ward councillor David McLean expressed his frustration at a Winchester City Council meeting on January 13.

He said: "Could the cabinet member please update us on the progress of the depot build here in Bishops Waltham as it appears to have stalled yet again?”

Cllr Kelsie Learney said that work is due to begin in March, and that it should be completed in late December, early January of next year.

"Winchester City Council has appointed LST as the main contractor to undertake the redevelopment works," she said.

"The contractor is currently finalising detailed design and discharging the remaining pre-commencement planning conditions.

"Works on site are anticipated to commence in early March 2021 and completion in late December 2021/ January 2022.

"Winchester City Council are finalising heads of terms with a prospective tenant for Unit Three and are in discussions with a tenant for Unit One."

At a meeting in July of last year, Cllr Learney told Cllr McLean that the work would begin in October 2020, and be completed by this summer.

The depot covers 0.95 acres and is situated in a former quarry off Lower Lane.

In the past it has been used as a base to store refuse trucks and has previously been considered for a number of things, including a new fire station and housing.

Three new units are set to be built following a £1 million investment from the council.