Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has received a letter from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport confirming the Council's Compulsory Purchase Order for Hadlow Tower.

The Council will now proceed with the plan outlined at the Public Enquiry, which took place on 20 and 21 November last year, to take possession of the Tower and transfer it to the Vivat Trust so that the necessary repair and restoration work can be undertaken. It is hoped that the restoration project, which is likely to cost in the region of £4 million, will begin later this year.

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David Hughes, Chief Executive for Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, said: "I am delighted that the Compulsory Purchase Order has been confirmed and that we can now begin the process that will see the Tower restored to good condition as befits a Grade 1 Listed Building.

"We are very grateful to the Vivat Trust as without their support it is highly unlikely that a viable solution would have been found. Now we have the Compulsory Purchase Order confirmed, we hope that the Vivat Trust will be able to put in place the remaining funding that is necessary for the full restoration."

(CD/JM)