A STANDOFF between a Southampton resident refusing to move out, and the city bosses pressing ahead with building a multi-million pound housing development around him is set to cost £50,000.

Demolition work has already begun on blocks of flats in Townhill Park to make way for a £100m development.

But the wrecking ball cannot yet level the entire estate as the last remaining leaseholder has so far refused to move out.

The unnamed resident has so-far turned down all offers by Southampton City Council to compulsory purchase his flat on Meggeson Avenue to make way for the new development despite others already being torn down and others fenced off behind hoardings.

But council chiefs have been given permission to push through a compulsory purchase order for the property in a legal battle that could cost the taxpayer £50,000.

Cllr Warwick Payne said: “Permission was granted back in February for a CPO and I believe the legal department is already looking at it. The door is open at our end for the leaseholder to accept our offer. It could take a day if they decide to settle up or months if we have to go through the whole process. The offer is on the table.”

Tenants of the other flats were given extra points to help them bid for another council property, whilst leaseholders were offered the market rate of the property they owned.

Residents have moved to a variety of other homes in the city, with some moving to council owned properties, some going into private rented accommodation and some into housing association properties.

The council is not anticipating many will opt to move back to the new estate.

Cllr Payne said: “As many people as would like will be able to move back as they have automatic right of return, but in our previous experience around ten per cent are likely to move back as people only like to move once.”

Demolition site manager Charlie Cawte has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years and says he has only ever come across one other case where a resident refused to move.

“We’ve got until the end of August to get rid of everything behind the hoardings. Then this block will have to be dealt with separately.”

Kelly Masters, 32, a mum of two said: “I think they’re crazy. I have friends who lived over there and they got extra housing points and money to move so it’s not like he’s being forced out and being made homeless. The flats are horrible.”

Simone Lewis, lead practitioner at Squirrels Pre-School on Townhill Way said: “I think the redevelopment will be fab but I think it’s a shame about the resident – it’s his home and I can see his point of view.”

Linda Rogers, 45, an office worker from central Southampton said: “It’s a good idea – the flats are an eyesore. I think anything will be an improvement and it’s well overdue.”

Kathleen Howott, 68, a retired catering assistant from West End said: “It’s good because we need homes, but I don’t think it’s very fair if they don’t want to be moved.”

Sue O Neil, retired, 65 years old, from Duddon Close said: “I don’t like the idea of higher flats, and I’m also worried about the parking what they’re doing with the roads, it might be really congested. Other than that it sounds like a good idea.”