PLANS to regenerate the town centre face their latest hurdle later this month when a planning inspector decides on council proposals to purchase plots of land.

It was revealed earlier this year that certain plots of land in and around Fleming Way would have to be bought via a compulsory purchase order if plans to move the bus station were to be realised.

There are nine areas in total and most of the sites are small pieces of land with no buildings, one of the sites is next to the underpass near Debenhams and includes the Greggs and the Cornish Bakehouse shops.

A deal between the council and the owners has been agreed for eight of the sites but due to differing valuations of one plot near the Tri Centre an inquiry will now be held.

There were initially two complaints but one of these has been dropped. The matter will now be decided over what is likely to be a one-day hearing on September 29 at the Civic Offices.

Councillor Garry Perkins (Con, Haydon Wick), the cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is down to vastly different valuations of land.

“It was initially owned by an overseas property company but they went bankrupt so it was taken over by Deutsche Bank, who now want millions for something only worth a few hundred thousand pounds.

“They are just trying their luck but it is this which has held everything up for the last six months.

“I don’t want to prejudge the inspector but I would be shocked if the purchase was not allowed to go ahead.

“We are not talking about a major strategic piece of land. It is just a piece of grass.”

The plan is to lower the underpass near Debenhams and then move the bus station onto Fleming Way, which would then be closed to all other traffic.

As part of the move, the Greggs, the West Cornwall Pasty Company and Thamesdown Transport office will move as part of the deal.

“We came to agreements with all the other sites quite quickly,” said Coun Perkins.

“Having to resort to CPOs is actually quite rare. We have agreed compensation or found another site for places to move to but not in this case.

“These plots are need to make the development more cost effective and economical.

“If we do not get permission then it won’t stop things but it will hold things up even more.”