Grantham’s Station Approach development has been thrown into doubt as an order to force two firms off land in Wharf Road to make way for it has been rejected.
The Secretary of State has refused the Grantham Growth Point board’s application for a compulsory purchase order to force Jewson and Tanvic Tyres off the land near to the railway station.
The board, made up of councillors from Lincolnshire County Council and South Kesteven District Council, had hoped to build a business innovation centre alongside new offices, hotels and residential space. The project would have created up to 1,000 jobs.
Officers are now looking at alternative ways in which the scheme can proceed.
Paul Wheatley, head of economic regeneration for Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I’m obviously disappointed to learn of this decision but I don’t feel that it will derail the project. We believe that it is still a viable solution and will help to create business growth in Grantham.
“Over the next few weeks we will work with our partners to see how we can progress this.”
SKDC’s head of development and growth Mark Williets added: “Our aim is to regenerate this part of Grantham and to create new jobs and we still want to do this.
“Fortunately, we have not got all our eggs in one basket and we will be reviewing all our options very closely with our partners.”
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