Par-la-Ville may not begin for several years now after the company's managing director said that plans have been put on hold.

In-principle planning permission had been given for a new seven-storey building to be erected on the site of the former showroom and workshop for World Distributors.

The 16,400 square foot site was emptied last week when World Distributors moved to new showrooms on Serpentine Road.

But while the existing buildings will be demolished in February, Conyers Dill & Pearman general manager John Buckley said that no plans had been made to build on the site.

The plot was bought last year from Young, Trott & Co, owners of the bike shop, who last week moved out of the 30-year-old building. Several interim proposals for the site are being looked at by the firm, including a short-term parking lot.

"We purchased the property last year as a potential office site,'' said Mr.

Buckley. "The present site has been vacated and as it wasn't being used as an office and the building did not fit into any office plan, so rather than leave it empty and become an eye-sore, we decided to demolish it.'' He added: "Plans are still being formulated for the site. It was always going to be a long-term investment.'' Mr. Buckley added that one option, for which they do not have planning permission, was to create a car park on the site.

"It would perhaps make short-term sense and is one idea that has some appeal.'' But he stressed that no plans have been finalised.

In April 1999, The Royal Gazette revealed that there were fears that Hamilton's business district was becoming too congested after Conyers, Dill & Pearman's proposed new seven-storey law offices.

But despite that objection from a nearby business, the Planning Department granted the law firm in-principle approval for the building on the Par-la-Ville Road.

The law firm bought the land, which crosses right through to Trott Road, for an undisclosed amount. Conyers Dill & Pearman general manager John Buckley at the time confirmed the purchase for the proposed building which will have total floor space of 89,600 square feet.

He said the firm's "long range planning'' had uncovered the need for much greater office space but insisted there was no definite timetable for the move from nearby Clarendon House.

CD&P office building plans on hold Plans from Conyers Dill & Pearmen's architects Conyers & Associates lodged with the Planning Department show it is proposed that the building will include six floors of offices and a basement car park with room for eight cars and 14 cycles.

Members of the nearby Old Colony Club formally filed an objection to the development before approval was granted and have since vowed to continue fighting the massive development.

"We note with dismay that the proposed seven storey building will occupy the complete lot...and consequently impact on an already too congested area,'' their objection stated.

Wheel it away: Out with the old, in with the new. The former site of World Distributors is being cleared out for demolition in February. The fate of the plot, which is now owned by Conyers Dill & Pearman, is still undecided, but it may become a car park.

BUSINESS BUC