A CONTROVERSIAL site that has been touted for numerous developments over the years has been sold by owners Robinsons Brewery.

The site, home to the former Hartley's brewery, has been snapped up by a local businessman.

William Robinson, joint managing director of Robinsons Brewery, said the buyer intends to develop the site into something the community needs.

“We have sold the property but we are not able to reveal the purchaser’s identity just yet," he said.

“What I can say is that he is a local businessman who knows the area well and plans to bring this back into use.

“We recognised that we needed to move forward with this site which is why we put it back on the market.

“We have tried in different ways for some time.

“I think we have found the right buyer who can do right by the town.”

Plans were approved back in 2013 for it to become a supermarket, but that was later thrown out.

Homes For Ulverston, a group of five Ulverstonians wanting to redevelop derelict sites, wanted to buy it to create 37 new homes.

Dave Webster, a councillor in Ulverston, said: “Whatever the new owners do with it I would be fine with it as long as it is a development that is right for the town.

“I did see the plan Homes for Ulverston had for this and I must say I liked what I saw as it was in keeping with the town.

“It is a matter of what Robinsons want to do with the site. We will wait to see what the new owners have planned for it though.”