Angus Council has agreed to initiate action towards a compulsory purchase order to enable the demolition of the flats above Arbroath's Mayfield Terrace shops.

The council has had long-term difficulty in reaching agreement with the owners of all the shops premises to allow the demolition to go ahead as part of the area's regeneration.

Convener of Neighbourhood Services Jim Millar put forward a motion that the council move towards a compulsory purchase order at a meeting of Angus Council on Thursday 26 March.


He said: "Despite the council's best efforts over a prolonged period of time, we have experienced problems in achieving signed agreement from all owners of premises at Mayfield Terrace shops. This has prevented us from demolishing the flats and completing the regeneration of the area which is the desire of the both the council and the local residents."

The council agreed that the Director of Corporate Services should initiate action towards compulsorily purchasing those premises which have not yet signed the agreement. This was subject to the directors of Corporate Services and Neighbourhood Services bringing back a report to the next Neighbourhood Services committee detailing the implications, including the financial implications, of the council promoting a compulsory purchase order.

(GK/JM)