Tenants may be forced to sell homes near redevelopment
MAIDENHEAD: Powers to force 13 tenants to sell up their property in Maidenhead town centre were approved by senior councillors but will be used as a precautionary, writes Local Democracy Reporter James Bagley.
Cabinet members unanimously agreed to use compulsory purchase orders (CPO), which forces homeowners to sell up if their property obstructs a regeneration project, on 13 retailers near the Nicholsons Shopping Centre, if negotiations stall.
In the report, Denhead S.A.R.L., which is developing out the site, needs assistance with acquiring the interests of the remaining landowners and leaseholders to help deliver the regeneration of the Maidenhead town centre.
Denhead S.A.R.L. is a collaboration between Tikehau Capital, which bought the centre in 2018, and regeneration specialists Areli Real Estate.
The council will enter into an agreement with Denhead
S.A.R.L. who will be responsible for all costs and liabilities arising in undertaking and completing the CPO.
Maidenhead resident Andrew Hill asked at Thursday’s meeting if getting CPO powers is a ‘first resort’ rather than a ‘last resort’ as mentioned in the report, due to demolition works projected to begin this July and ending February 2022.
Council leader Councillor Andrew Johnson (Con, Hurley and Walthams) responded by saying the scheme cannot be delayed by a number of parties for ‘purely commercial reasons’ – as the council wants the project to be delivered in a reasonably fast time.