David Ruffley MP has called a meeting at the St Edmundsbury Borough Council offices to discuss the appalling state of the site of the former Merry Go Round public house on the Howard Estate in Bury St Edmunds at 9.30 a.m. on Friday, 25th November.

The Merry Go Round public house has been derelict for some time and negotiations between St Edmundsbury and the long leaseholder of the property have failed to produce a solution for residents.

David was contacted by concerned constituents on the Howard Estate and the possibility of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was raised. The potential for a CPO will be discussed at David's meeting on Friday.

David said:

'The matter of the former Merry Go Round site has been of concern to Howard Estate residents for some time and rightly so. It is an eye-sore.

This building is in a prime location that should be at the heart of the Howard Estate community and the period of time it has been derelict is simply unacceptable. It is spoiling the quality of life on that part of the Estate.

The site has been suggested as a future location for a doctor's surgery. This would, in my opinion, be a fitting and suitable use that would be of benefit to the whole community.

However, we must take one step at a time and I hope my meeting will lay the groundwork for future redevelopment. Howard Estate residents deserve a building they can be proud of and not a derelict eyesore. I will be pressing the Borough Council to look closely at the real possibility of a Compulsory Purchase Order.'