The Planning Inspectorate has set Tuesday 5th September as the new start date for the public inquiry into the Council’s application to acquire the former Rose and Young site using a compulsory purchase order.

One of the Council’s longstanding key objectives is to secure the redevelopment of the site. Due to the lack of redevelopment of the site for over 20 years, the Council backed compulsory purchase of the site to provide a restaurant with a hotel above. At the same time the owner of the site received planning permission for retail units with flats above. Planning permission was granted for two schemes.

The Council paused the Inquiry process as it had received information the current owner of the site was close to selling the site and wanted to allow some extra time for that to happen. This has not yet taken place and the Council has asked for the Inquiry to go ahead.

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.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin Fisher, said: “We had asked for an earlier date for the Inquiry to be heard, but we’re pleased the Planning Inspectorate has finally set a date, so this matter can be heard. We will continue to work with our partners and keep an eye on the position of the current owner in his efforts to sell the site.”