COMPULSORY purchase powers were given the go-ahead last night (Wednesday) by Dudley Council to force through long-awaited redevelopment of derelict shops in Colley Gate.

Hortons’ Estate and Antringham Developments Ltd have been negotiating with Dudley Council for more than a year and the move will give the developer the ability to acquire the whole site.

The plans could also encompass the Nisa supermarket and a report to Dudley Council’s cabinet meeting last night said the long term solution relied on land assembly.

It said this would allow for a “comprehensive redevelopment or a mix of selective retention and redevelopment”.

Members were told the contract between the council and the developer would mean any property acquired through CPOs would be purchased by the developer, who would also undertake to cover the council’s costs.

Pockets of land on the site belonging to the council including a car park and the Golden Cup takeaway.