On 25th April a government inspector will start a public inquiry to decide if Tandridge District Council should buy the former Rose & Young site in Caterham, to allow the site to be developed after lying empty for over 20 years.

The inquiry has been called as Caterham Properties Ltd, the owner of the site, objected to the legal notice which would have allowed Tandridge District Council to take ownership of the site using a Compulsory Purchase Order.

If the inspector agrees, the Council can buy the site, which would be at market value, it would be passed on 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. CoPlan Estates Ltd is underwriting the Council’s costs.

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 economy. The inquiry is scheduled to last for four days.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin Fisher, said: “We hope the inspector supports our actions and sees how far we are prepared to go to push for the development of this site. We are determined this site will be developed to start improving this part of Caterham.”