A SCHEME to redevelop the North Gate area of Devizes is in crisis this week after Kennet District Council's preferred developers failed to sign the contract to buy the land.
Although it was back in July that Kennet selected Phoenicia Barr to undertake the redevelopment of the site, which takes in the former cattle market and the site of Devizes Motor Company on New Park Street and the One Stop shop in the Market Place, the contract remains unsigned.
Lawyers for all sides in the dispute were given until Friday to come to an agreement and sign on the dotted line but so far there has been no meeting of minds.
In December the Gazette revealed that a dispute over the lease of the One Stop shop was at the heart of the delays. One Stop was acquired by Tesco last year and an apparently amicable negotiation became adversarial. It is not yet known whether Tesco is looking for a better financial settlement or wishes to be preferred tenants in the new store. Councillors will be asked to decide on February 3 whether to continue with Phoenicia Barr.
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