Traders feel let down

4:48pm Tuesday 16th November 2004

RETAILERS facing the threat of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) in the name of the town's regeneration feel isolated and let down by the council.

Many traders in Lowfield Street say Dartford Council is looking after the developers' interests instead of constituents because it has not provided basic information to help them make decisions or know their legal rights.

Some say initial offers for their properties have been reduced while tenants fear rents will more than double and legal and relocation costs will be too much.

Ray Richardson, owner of 95-year-old family butchers Richardson's, says the rush to get the paperwork processed three days before new legislation, which favours retailers, shows the council "just wants us out".

Ton Ton tattooist Jeff Waterton, who rents a unit in Ripley's Market, Lowfield Street, said: "We stand to lose our livelihoods and we're being told nothing."

Ill-feeling heightened when neither council officers nor Conservative councillors attended a meeting with retailers earlier this month, believing it was sabotaged by Labour politicians.

Labour ward councillor Margaret Stock said: "There doesn't seem to have been any proper negotiations and although orders have been issued, they should have been given a lot more attention."

Mike Warren, joint-owner of printers CTS Direct, says things seem to be progressing more smoothly now.

"We've accepted this is going to happen," he said. "We're simply asking to be treated fairly."

Dartford Council says CPOs will not be issued until March at the earliest and will only be used as a last resort if current attempts at negotiating individual deals are unsuccessful.

Head of finance and resources Steve Brooks says all efforts are being made to secure the best deal for all those affected and urges everyone involved to attend the CPO clinics to get individual advice about their rights.

Developers St James's Investments will also foot "reasonable" costs for legal, financial or surveying advice.

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