A gas holder which has been part of the townscape in Bury St Edmunds since the 1950s will be taken down, leaving the land available for development.

East Anglian Daily Times: The gas cylinder in Tayfen Road, Bury.The gas cylinder in Tayfen Road, Bury. (Image: Archant)

National Grid has written to residents and councillors about its plans to dismantle the gas holder in Tayfen Road and other small buildings on the site.

The removal of this industrial structure, which was built in 1958, will pave the way for the regeneration of the area.

Borough and county councillor David Nettleton said the site was right for development, adding: “Provided the developer works closely with local residents, my electors, I’m sure we will get a good outcome for the future of Bury St Edmunds, and it will provide additional housing on brownfield land.”

Karen Goddard, who manages St Edmunds Guest House near the site, agreed the area needed to be redeveloped, adding it could be more attractive for those coming to the town by train.

East Anglian Daily Times: The gas cylinder in Tayfen Road, Bury.The gas cylinder in Tayfen Road, Bury. (Image: Archant)

The Tayfen Road site is allocated for mixed use development, including commercial and residential.

A masterplan was adopted by St Edmundsbury Borough Council in 2009, but the council said it is now dated and is likely to be reviewed by a developer. Pigeon development firm owns part of the site through a subsidiary company.

National Grid added: “Tayfen Road has been the site of the gas works since 1834 and the gas holder is seen by many as a symbol of the town’s industrial heritage.

“As part of this project we will be looking at ways the history of the gas works can be remembered and will be inviting local people to share their memories of the site.”

National Grid, which is planning to dismantle the holder in the new year, said it no longer needs to store gas locally in large holders such as the one in Tayfen Road.