Leap forward for leisure complex

Leap forward for leisure complex

Cafes and restaurants are to be included in the leisure complex

Plans for a £60m leisure complex in Thanet have taken a leap forward after a public inquiry was scrapped at the last minute.

A small number of homeowners in Westwood Cross near Margate, Kent, had been threatened with compulsory purchase to make way for the complex.

But at the last minute the residents decided to sell after a confidential settlement was reached.

Most of the homes in the street had been bought by Chelverton Properties ready to be demolished.

Exciting project

But the refusal to sell by some sparked an inquiry which should have started on Tuesday and lasted for three days.

Leader of Thanet District Council Cllr Richard Nicholson, said: "I'm very pleased that all the outstanding matters have been settled between the developer and the property owners and now look forward to this exciting project proceeding quickly."

The Westwood Cross development will see the creation of a new town centre, including shops, restaurants, bars and cafes and leisure and community facilities.