A PRIME Inverclyde site which has lain empty for more than a decade looks set to be snapped up for development at last.

Council officials are in talks with a mystery bidder over the former Bogston petrol station plot off the A8.

An ‘under offer’ sign has gone up at the site and it is understood negotiations are at an advanced stage.

The land is earmarked for business, industrial, storage or distribution use and council bosses have explicitly said it will not be used for a car wash or hot food outlet.

Officials today confirmed that talks are taking place.

A council spokesman said: “We are currently negotiating with a preferred bidder for the site.”

It is understood the mystery developer is in the process of applying for planning permission to build on the former filling station plot.

Several bids have been made in the last few years but they have all failed to come to fruition.

The Bogston site used to be home to an Esso filling station.

That shut in 2006 and the prominent roadside plot has lain empty ever since.

The disused kiosk and canopy was demolished by the council in December 2015 in a bid to lure potential tenants.

A spokesman said: “This is a prime site in a great location.

“We decided to demolish the former petrol station to make it more attractive to a potential tenant.”

It is now hoped the move will pay off and that the latest bid can get over the line.