Owner of the former Rose & Young site objects to Compulsory Purchase Order

Caterham Properties, the owner of the former Rose & Young site in Caterham, has objected to the serving of a legal notice which would allow Tandridge District Council to take ownership of the site using a Compulsory Purchase Order.

There will now be a public inquiry where an inspector will decide whether the Council should be able to buy the site.

If the inspector agrees to allow the Council to buy the site, which would be at market value, the Council will sell it to CoPlan Estates Ltd, so work on the hotel scheme can start. This will provide a Premier Inn hotel, a Beefeater Restaurant and a further retail unit for Caterham. CoPlan Estates Ltd and the Council are also continuing to try to buy the site directly from the owner.

The site has been undeveloped for over 20 years and the Council wants to ensure redevelopment goes ahead, recognising residents and businesses are unhappy with the run down appearance of the land and building, as well as the site’s lack of contribution to the town centre.

Piers Mason, Chief Planning Officer, said: “It is disappointing the owner has objected to the Order, as they would have received market value for the site and allowed the Council to put the site in the hands of developers who could get on with improving this part of Caterham.”