Members of the public at the meeting in the Soper Hall.

Tandridge District Council (‘TDC’) formed a new Working Group recently to focus specifically on solving the problem of the derelict Rose & Young showroom in Croydon Road, Caterham. On Tuesday 3rd December the Working Group, made up of local district councillors, hosted a meeting in the Soper Hall, Caterham.

The meeting was held to discuss the way forward with members of the public and invite suggestions for future use of the building. Amongst those present was the Head of Planning at TDC, Piers Mason, the Deputy Chairman of Surrey County Council, Sally Marks, Chris Windridge representing the CR3 Forum and Neighbourhood Plan, local architect Random Greenway and members of the Rose & Young Action Group made up of concerned local business owners who have been putting pressure on the council to sort out Rose & Young over the last four years.

The Action Group has also explored various possible solutions over the years, including trying to find a developer to fund a Compulsory Purchase Order (‘CPO’) as TDC say they are not in a position to fund a CPO themselves. At the opening of the meeting the Chairman of the TDC Working Group, Councillor Jane Ingham, said: “The object of tonight’s meeting is to review progress to date and any other options for the site.

We are very conscious that the site is in private ownership and that the owner has broken many promises.” According to Chris Windridge the Neighbourhood Plan could be the ‘game changer’ as it will produce a strategic plan for the town centre with wide community engagement.

The plan, he said, would give more leverage to the council to get the site redeveloped at last. However, others at the meeting were less optimistic. Local resident, John Harvey, said: “I am sick and tired of hearing Tandridge councillors say that the council does not have money to spend on compulsory purchase.

If set up right a CPO can be a nice earner for a council. You just need the right people to do this.” After much discussion TDC Chairman, Beverley Connolly, summed up by saying: “What we do have in this town is a great community spirit.

We are lucky in this town to have the sort of people who come together to try and resolve local issues such as Rose & Young.” Jane Ingham announced that the Working Group would report back to the Planning Policy Committee in March after they have collated information and spoken to other local groups.

Afterwards, local businessman, Marc Hansen, a member of the Rose & Young Action Group said: “TDC were not able to do anything in the past and it seems the new Working Group has no sense of urgency - we are simply stirring the same old pot.”

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