Chelverton Properties, who are behind the massive Westwood Cross development, asked Thanet District Council to issue compulsory purchase orders for houses on the site. But the owners are refusing to sell for the amount of money being offered.

One resident, Derek Biggs, has triggered the public inquiry by putting forward his objections. He has said his house is worth thousands of pounds more than the sum put on the table to compensate him.

Thanet Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Ken Gregory, has said he is confident the development will still go ahead as planned:

"It’s his (Mr Biggs) right to object and register a statutory objection, which he’s done and the result of that is that there will be a public inquiry.", he said.

"The developer has programmed that into its schedule anyway. So if Mr Biggs wins at the public inquiry then all power to him. If he doesn’t then all power to the developer."

The official intimated that the inquiry would not affect the valuations: "The value of the property is not a matter for the developer nor for the council nor for Mr Biggs. Independent valuations are built into compulsory purchase orders.", Mr Gregory said.