CALLS have been made to transform a neglected Gloucester building into a heritage site.

Tanners' Hall in Worcester Street was a medieval town house built in the 13th century as the home of a merchant. It represents the only surviving remains of a stone medieval merchants house in Gloucester.

It was subsequently converted to become part of the tanning industry.

Gloucester City councillor Pam Tracey (Con. Westgate) feels that with a little more attention, it could become a jewel in Gloucester's crown.

She said: "All it needs is a flood light put on it, a brass plaque put up and a wrought iron fence put around it and it would look lovely. It doesn't look like a heritage site at the moment but it could quite easily."

She added that the area was seen by a lot of people and if it was improved, it would improve the appearance of the city.

"The little things are as important as the big things and it wouldn't take much to make the building look really nice," she said. "A lot of people see it when they drive down Gouda Way, and it doesn't look great."

A draft feasibility study, funded by English Heritage, was produced in 2004 but a plan for the site has still not been agreed between the city council and the building's owners.

Resident Ian Holt, of Ashwood Way in Hucclecote, contacted The Citizen asking for action to highlight the building's importance.

He said: "This is one of the most important secular ruins in the city, yet for years it has been neglected. One possibility would be to incorporate it into a new building, perhaps as an annexe of the folk museum. Another possibility would be to landscape the area around it and leave it as a superb ancient monument.

"If we are serious about the Gloucester renaissance we must protect, preserve and display buildings like Tanners' Hall."

Councillor Paul James, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "This is an important building in the city. Over the last two years there have been discussions between council officers and the architects acting for the owners about a suitable scheme for developing the site, while satisfactorily protecting the monument. Good progress has been made and we are hopeful that a formal application will be made in the fairly near future.