A deal for council bosses to buy land which is vital for the transformation of Shrewsbury’s ancient flax mill must be completed within three years.

And officials hope to have a scheme on the table by Christmas.

Yesterday it was revealed that Secretary of State Hazel Blears had approved a Compulsory Purchase Order for land around the 18th century building in Ditherington, bringing multi-million pound plans for the site closer to a reality.

But Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council must exercise its right to buy the land within a three year deadline or the CPO will expire.

The CPO was approved for four pieces of land with an agreement also in place for Arriva to move the bus depot, which fronts the flax mill site, alongside the park and ride in Harlescott but this would not take place until their is more certainty over the scheme.

Ian Kilby, borough planning services manager, said: “The CPO lasts for three years and our agreement with Arriva is that we have an option to exercise to say we want their site.

“We’re not going to exercise the option until we have certainty over the scheme.”

The letter from the Secretary of State outlining approval for the CPO says the site could be redeveloped in a number of ways including providing open space, residential properties, commercial premises and food retail use.

Plans are being drawn up by Urban Splash and while no timescale is set for a planning application to be submitted Mr Kilby said: “”The next focus is to sign the development agreement with Urban Splash. I would like to at least have sight of a scheme before Christmas but that will involve a lot of work on behalf of Urban Splash.”