ATTEMPTS are being made by Derby City Council to encourage a developer to demolish an eyesore building at the centre of Derby.

The authority is hoping to pave the way for Wilson Bowden to knock down the former police station in Full Street which has been boarded up for years.

It comes after the Derby Telegraph revealed the developers had been offered money to help them demolish the building but had turned down the cash.

Wilson Bowden bought the former Full Street police station and listed magistrates' court six years ago and submitted plans for a £30 million office and apartment scheme.

The slump in the economy has meant work has not started on the site, including the dilapidated police station.

Although planning permission was granted in 2008, it was subject to a deal on how much in financial contributions to the area the developer would make – known as a section 106 agreement – being signed. That agreement has still not been reached and so the listed building consent for alterations has also not been signed off.

That consent is needed before the police station can be demolished. Although itself not listed, the old police station is linked to the listed magistrates' court via a bridge, which means it is also subject to the building consent.

Now, to encourage the developer to demolish the eyesore police building, the council's officers are recommending its planning committee modify the wording of the planning consent so the police station can be knocked down.

Councillor Matthew Holmes, cabinet member for planning and environment, said: "We're fully committed to the regeneration of this area of the city.

"To be absolutely frank, the site has been an eyesore for far too long now and demolition would be a big step forward in my view.

"The most important thing is to try and create momentum on a project that has unfortunately ground to a halt in recent years."

Windows on the former police station have been smashed or boarded up, graffiti has been sprayed on walls and the site remains shrouded with ugly corrugated hoardings. A banner promising regeneration of the city's waterfront is "coming soon" still hangs.

Last week, firefighters had to be called out to put out flames inside the building.

The Derby Telegraph revealed in June that Wilson Bowden turned down a loan of public money to help fund the cost of demolishing the old police building.

We also discovered that controversial Empty Property Rates, which have forced many owners to find uses for vacant buildings – or even knock them down – do not apply to the site because it is so run down.

John Forkin, director of Marketing Derby, which aims to attract investment into the city, said he welcomed the latest move by the council.

"I think this is one of the city's main eyesores and I think it gives a disgraceful image for the city for it to be left in such a state for so long," he said.

"Obviously the magistrates' court needs protecting but if the council is moving to facilitate the demolition of the police station by the developer, then the sooner the better in my view."

No one from Wilson Bowden was available for comment.

A decision on whether to allow the listed building consent to progress will be made by the planning committee next Thursday.