A SECTION of an industrial estate which is ripe for redevelopment has been put up for sale.

A councillor is now calling for a 'visionary' to step forward and invest in the complex in Diglis, Worcester.

The Canal and River Trust, which owns the 5.7-acre site, off Navigation Road, said the sale is part of its plan to transform the area.

City councillor Jabba Riaz, who represents Cathedral ward, said: "The Canal and River Trust haven't done anything with it for years.

"The buildings have run into disrepair, no new companies have signed to relocate in the area.

"It only makes sense that prime land so close to the city centre is put to good use.

"Hopefully someone with vision, some entrepreneur, can purchase it and turn it into an arts' venue or some sort of sports leisure focal point.

"It needs some sort of redevelopment. I'd like to see more employment land. Historically land has been purchased for housing there - the porcelain works for instance.

"Hopefully through consultation and working with residents whatever scheme comes forward we can make it work for the best."

Cllr Riaz said the industrial estate is currently in a poor state and described it as an 'eyesore'.

Mark Fellows, who works on the estate and previously complained about vandalism and fly-tipping in the area, said: "It's been up for sale for around six months.

"I think it's a good thing. If it's to be used for industry it will be a good thing, it will create jobs. But if it's to be demolished and houses built on it, that's not very good."

He said cleaners descended on the estate the day after the Worcester News published his complaints, although it is still blighted by potholes and broken streetlights.

A Canal and River Trust spokesman said: “We have recently marketed part of the land that we own at this site in order to determine how it could potentially be redeveloped.

"As a charity part of our role is to effectively manage the property within our ownership. The money that we generate from our property assets is reinvested into the waterways, which are there for everyone to enjoy.

The site is currently occupied by PSV wipers and produces £74,000 per year.