PROPOSALS to step up regeneration plans for Kidderminster are set to be discussed at Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet meeting next week.

The cabinet will discuss plans to use a compulsory purchase order to complete the land assembly of 2-12 Lower Mill Street, if necessary.

The land is required to enable the redevelopment of the Crown House and Bullring area and northern area of the Weavers Wharf Retail Park.

Cabinet member for planning and regeneration, Conservative John Campion, has set out a report which explains the ongoing negotiations with the owners of properties in Lower Mill Street and the council’s plans to use compulsory purchase powers if those negotiations are unproductive.

Mr Campion said: “The council’s plans to regenerate this part of the town by demolishing Crown House have been well publicised and are widely supported.

“We have exciting times ahead for Kidderminster, including our £2 million public realm improvements and we want to make sure we deliver all the plans we have so that Kidderminster becomes a real destination of choice for visitors.”

Weavers Wharf Retail Park owner, Henderson UK Retail Warehouse Fund, obtained planning permission for the land from the district council in April, 2014 and have since been in negotiations with the Lower Mill Street property owners to acquire their interests.

The report advises that Henderson remains committed to acquiring the properties by private negotiation but if that does not progress quickly enough the council will consider stepping in to assist by compulsorily purchasing the properties and passing them on to Henderson.

Mr Campion said: “We recognise the concerns of the landowners in Lower Mill Street and are pleased with the ongoing negotiations that Henderson is having with them in good faith.

“The council rarely resorts to compulsory purchase powers and hope that we won’t need to utilise them in Lower Mill Street, but we can’t allow discussions to continue indefinitely without a positive conclusion.

“We want to make sure that the businesses in Lower Mill Street are supported with their future plans and they can be accommodated elsewhere in Kidderminster, if that is their wish, but we are committed to delivering our regeneration plans.”

The cabinet meeting will be taking place next Tuesday at 6pm in Wyre Forest House.