A Compulsory Purchase Order has today been confirmed that will make way for the long-awaited redevelopment of the St James's area in Dover.

The final 5% of land can now be acquired by Dover District Council, resulting in the demolition of the unsightly Burlington House to clear the area for a 120,000 sq ft retail and leisure venue.

Leader of Dover District Council Cllr Paul Watkins said: "This marks a historic day for Dover and the St James’s development as we start the process of delivering the new retail and leisure facilities that we know people want.”

"This is fantastic news and a defining moment in the history of Dover" - Charlie Elphicke Dover MP

The next step is for the council and its partner Bond City, to complete the assembly of all outstanding third party land interests. Already 95% of the freehold interests in the site were owned or have been acquired by the Council by agreement. The hold-up on progress rested on the CPO being agreed.

MP for Dover and Deal Charlie Elphicke said: "This is fantastic news and a defining moment in the history of Dover.

"We've waited such a long time to get where we are and I see this as a real milestone on the journey to making Dover a jewel in the crown of the nation once again.

"It is vindication of Paul Watkins and his team working for so hard and for so long to make this happen. Many congratulations to them all."

But Ukip Prospective Parliamentary Candidate David Little - whose business backs on to the development - said: "People in Dover will start to get optimistic when they see Burlington House coming down."

He added: "I don't want to sound cynical but the DTIZ started back in 1997. Eighteen years into the process all news is good news."

A related order has also been agreed by the Secretary of State for Transport for the stopping-up of roads within the scheme area.

Work is already underway to build a Cineworld and Marks & Spencer, Travelodge and Frankie & Benny’s have also committed to Dover.