Council could buy former Caterham garage site

The run-down site of a former garage in Surrey could be the subject of a compulsory purchase order if a developer can be found.

Tandridge District Council said it was unhappy with the state of the building and land at the Rose and Young site in Croydon Road, Caterham.

Now it has said it would be prepared to undertake compulsory purchase to encourage redevelopment.

The site, which is privately owned, has been unoccupied for many years.

Public interest

The council said that despite discussions with the owner, no scheme had been submitted for the land in recent years.

Legal advisers have told the council that to pursue compulsory purchase, it must be able to show that a developer was interested in the site and it was in the public interest.

Councillor David Weightman, chairman of the planning committee, said "Encouraging redevelopment of the former Rose and Young garage is a long-standing key objective of the council.

"We are committed to finding a long-term solution."