Powers have been authorised to seize a former nightclub building last used as a Christian church and wanted as part of a major town regeneration scheme.

Dartford council has agreed plans to use powers, if required, to obtain the remaining property on Lowfield Street, which is surrounded by the Bellway housing development.

The former DA1 nightclub, also known as Talk of the Town, most recently served as a meeting place for churchgoers.

But the Redeemed Christian Church of God and its members were ejected in 2019 after their use of the land was deemed unlawful.

The church, which has nearby premises and also collaborates with a local food bank, applied for retrospective planning permission to use the nightclub as a place of worship but was turned down by the council who said the application was "incompatible" with the town's regeneration aims.

An appeal was then lodged with the Planning Inspectorate but the outcome is still pending.

Now a compulsory purchase order, agreed in principle in July, has been authorised by the council to secure the site.

During a general assembly meeting on Monday the council said it was not a decision it took lightly and leader Cllr Jeremy Kite told members such powers were used "very sparingly" and only when necessary.

"It is a very unusual thing for a council to be doing," said Cllr Kite.

But he added: "It is essential for us really to conclude this issue and to move ahead with a comprehensive regeneration programme for Lowfield Street."

However, the Tory leader hoped the powers, to be used as a "last resort", would not have to be deployed and did not rule out a last minute resolution.

"There is still an opportunity, even now, for a private treaty deal to proceed and effectively there could be a resolution that does not require the CPO. I think that is fair enough," he said.

"I think what we are doing tonight is reserving those powers and making it clear that we will be prepared to use them."

Meanwhile, the council continues to work with both the affected church group and the developer to reach a settlement for the site wanted as part of its Lowfield Street regeneration plans.

Work is currently underway to build 556 new homes, as well as new shops, a café and a brewery quarter.

It brings an end to the town centre development saga which had been earmarked for regeneration since 2001 but was left in limbo after Tesco pulled out of plans for a superstore after more than a decade of inaction.

The land was sold to a private investor, Meyer Homes in 2015 who brought plans forward and invited housebuilder Bellway Homes to be part of the building programme.

Now the council is looking to secure the last remaining piece of its regeneration scheme.

A planning application for land which is not part of the mixed use scheme but is part of the wider Lowfield Street opportunity site, identified in the council's core strategy, was approved in 2019, subject to completion of a Section 106 agreement.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the making of the CPO to seize the site.

The order will only be made once a request to do so is received from the developers who have signed an indemnity agreement promising to cover the costs of the process, as well as paying compensation to the owners.

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