A FORMAL public inquiry into the compulsory purchase of homes on land earmarked for a £60 million shopping centre is not needed says a senior councillor.

Thanet Action Group (TAG) is to lobby the government for the hearing but district council cabinet member Cllr Mary Derrane said: "I absolutely refute that there are grounds for a public inquiry for this CPO. The process that the council has applied to this situation has been dealt with fairly, legally and in the best interests of all concerned, not least the residents.

"Despite allegations to the contrary, we are not trying to cheat anyone. Everything possible is being done to come to an amicable settlement."

Cllr Derrane said that there were plenty of opportunities for objections to the Westwood Cross project when a formal and wide-ranging consultation period was held more than a year ago.

She said: "Even so, the council is listening to retrospective objections and trying to do the best for everyone. I believe that Westwood Cross will go ahead because it is the right thing for Thanet.

"Millions of pounds that could be spent in Thanet are spent at shops in Canterbury or centres like Bluewater because we do not have enough choice locally. Westwood Cross will change that."

TAG chairman Harry Lagan said: "Westwood Cross might be in the interest of big business but it would not benefit ordinary people. It would turn our high streets into ghost towns, lose jobs, damage our environment and destroy our quality of life."