Council chiefs and development partners, Bond City and Laker have written up a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the ongoing St James’ regeneration.

A CPO allows the council to seize the obstructions within the current Dover Town Investment Zone (DTIZ) for the benefit of the town.

This now means that Dover District Council (DDC) can push forward with plans to eventually demolish the outstanding buildings, one of which being County Hotel which has been dubbed an ‘eye sore’ by residents.

MP for Dover and Deal, Charlie Elphicke said: “It is great news it has been drawn up, we need to see progress of issuing and serving the order so we can get on with getting rid of the eye sore being demolished.

“The council moving forward with this is really positive and it inflicts positivity through Dover.”

Leader of the council, Paul Watkins, said: “We are now at a crucial stage in the development, which we know many people want to see realised.

“We have worked hard to develop the scheme to a point where we can commence the formal CPO process in respect of the land and interests not currently owned by the council.”

Individual notices will be sent to qualifying persons, including land owners, leaseholders, tenants and occupiers of any land affected, along with anyone else who may be able to claim compensation.