TALKS to decide how much of the multi-million pound 55-acre former United Engineering Forgings site in Bromsgrove will be devoted to house building may be nearing an end.

It is understood that Persimmon Homes, who purchased the prime site at Aston Fields after UEF was wound up last month, may be nearing an agreement with development agency Advantage West Midlands.

The agency, which had hoped to buy the land, but had to finally succumb to Persimmon's larger bank balance is keen to see part of the site used for a hi-tech science and technology park.

But a major clean up of the land which is heavily contaminated after being used for heavy industry for more than half a century is likely to cost up to £5m and delay the start of building work by 18 months.

UEF closed with the loss of nearly 500 jobs.

The science centre could employ some 300 people.

Apart from having to foot the clean up bill the developers will have to fork out for an expensive new entrance to the site to separate homes from industrial units.

It is believed that part of the development strategy will include long overdue measures to improve traffic problems at Aston Fields.

Council leader, Cllr Nick Psirides (Con, Norton), said the authority is keen to see the largest possible area earmarked for job creation, adding: "But we need to be realistic as the developer will have to meet all the decontamination costs."