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A former police station in Gravesend could be bought by a council if plans to develop the site continue to flounder.
Gravesham council's cabinet met last night to discuss the idea of making a Compulsory Purchase Order for the site in Windmill Street, in the event that development does not progress.
Planners hope the area will be converted to housing together with the nearby Civic Centre, which the council plans to leave when it moves to a proposed new home at the St George's Centre.
A report that went before Gravesham's cabinet last night sounded a note of warning to the current owners, stating: "The redevelopment of the site of the former Gravesend Police Station has been awaited for some years, with no sign of progress occurring.
"This is of concern to the council."
It notes that since being sold by Kent Police, the site has been sold a number of times, and been subject to a number of failed schemes, which had not gone ahead despite being granted permission.
And the report added: "For many years now we have seen this highly visible, key site deteriorate into an eyesore that remains, and is likely to remain all the while the vendor maintains what is considered by us to be totally unrealistic assumptions as to the site’s value.
"Officers have yet to be contacted by the potential purchaser to understand development intentions, but shall be seeking further information from the vendor."
"The site has recently been marketed again and, despite the council’s view of realistic land value that would enable a scheme to be brought forward, officers are advised that a number of offers were submitted in the region of between £2 million and the guide price of £2.5 million, and that an exclusivity agreement has now been entered into with one bidder.
"Officers were advised that deadline for exchange is October 7, 2020, with completion occurring in early November.
"Officers have yet to be contacted by the potential purchaser to understand development intentions, but shall be seeking further information from the vendor.
"With the site yet again being potentially acquired at what officers consider to be a price which is likely to prevent a viable scheme from being delivered, it is considered appropriate to consider the principle of using Compulsory Purchase Order powers under part IX of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in the event that development does not proceed within a reasonable period of time."
The council says the compulsory purchase option is only being considered as a last resort, if realistic plans fail to materialise and proceed.
Cabinet members agreed the recommendation – to authorise the chief executive, in consultation with the leader of the executive and other officers, to progress with a Compulsory Purchase Order in the event that the new owner does not progress with development.
