Harlow Council has agreed to pursue the purchase of 4-acres of neglected land owned by developers Strawberry Star as part of the complete rebuild of Harlow town centre.
Last week the council announced its plans to buy the land and buildings which are part of the stalled development known as the Harlow Quarter.
Last night (27 March) a report setting out a proposal to purchase the site, using compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), if necessary, was approved at meetings of the Cabinet and Full Council. The proposal has cross-party support on the council and was unanimously agreed.
The Harlow Quarter site runs from Primark in Broad Walk down to Market Square and across to the old Odeon. It includes Little Walk.
With the redevelopment stalled the council has become increasingly frustrated and concerned about the lack of security on the site.
This has made it a no-go zone in the town centre attracting antisocial behaviour, criminal activity, and trespassing.
The site has planning approval for up to 741 homes with substantial new retail, leisure, hospitality, community and commercial space.
Once purchased, the council plans to demolish the empty buildings and completely clear the site to enable a plan to be put forward to kickstart the regeneration of the area.
This would complement other schemes in the town centre such as the rebuild of Harlow bus station, the rebuild of Market Square, the transformation of Terminus Street, Broad Walk and the new arts and cultural quarter in Playhouse Square.
