Dozens of homes and businesses will be bought out by Three Rivers District Council as part of a major redevelopment scheme.

The authority had begun negotiating deals with homeowners and businesses because it needs to force them from their properties as part of the South Oxhey Initiative.

But Three Rivers District Council has issued a Compulsory Purchase Order to buy land and buildings between Henbury Way, Oxhey Drive, Bridlington Road, St Andrews Road, The Parade, Prestwick Road, Fairfield Avenue and Station Approach.

A public inquiry is expected to be held later this year if people object to being forced out.

There will be a seven-storey building at the top of the north side of the existing precinct and three-storey townhouses could be built between the new block and Bridlington Road.

Two new roads will join Bridlington Road and Prestwick Road and vehicles will be able to access homes in the area by using these two roads.

A new Lidl supermarket will be built in the south east section of the newly-developed precinct.

Parking for the new food store can be accessed via Oxhey Drive, while people living in the new flats will be able to park on a “ramp” above the car park for the new food store.