Tandridge District Council confirms CPO for Ninehams Gardens flats

The council said surveys had shown rebuilding was the "most cost-effective option"

Notices are being served to residents of 20 flats in Caterham which are to be replaced by new housing in a £7m move.

Twelve of the Ninehams Gardens flats are owned by leaseholders, with the other eight owned by Tandridge council.

The council said surveys revealed the flats - built in 1946 - were in need of substantial repair with rebuilding the most "cost-effective option".

A compulsory purchase order has now been confirmed and the council plans to take ownership in the summer.

Tandridge District Council said it was "aware of the impact" on existing residents and had been working with residents to discuss housing options.

Most leaseholders have already reached an agreement to sell their flats on a voluntary basis, it added.

'Necessary'

A planning application has been agreed for 35 new houses and flats, the council said.

The proposal is for a mixture of affordable rent and shared ownership homes, owned and managed by Circle Housing Mole Valley.

A legal agreement is in place to ensure the new homes will be available to people on the housing register, the council said.

Councillor Simon Ainsworth, chairman of the housing committee, said: "The compulsory purchase order is necessary to ensure the development goes ahead, if we are unable to reach agreement with all the leaseholders.

"We have been seeking to redevelop Ninehams Gardens for a number of years so it is great news the new scheme is coming to fruition."