The Society continues to press SDC to use all means available to the Council including the threat of compulsory purchase to get the Farmers site into development. The President has written to the Leaders of the Conservative and Liberal-democrat parties on the District and Town Councils, and to the Chief Executive and Chief Planning officer of the District Council, with a detailed Proposal for the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order. The aim is to achieve a better-designed building with a substantial affordable housing element.
At the full District Council meeting on 18th July 2023 a Lib Dem motion that the council should make a compulsory purchase order to acquire the site was rejected following opposition from new Leader of the Council.
A new application is in process of validation by SDC as at 10th June 2024. Further information on this application will be provided as it becomes available.
