A MAJOR development in the heart of Latchford Village has stalled due to confusion over how long the current tenant is allowed to stay on the land.

Work on a new shopping precinct at Maybrook Place came to a stuttering halt in November last year, when difficulties between the developer and the current tenant, Kwik Save, arose.

The contractor, Robert Foden Estates, has been wrangling with Kwik Save since that time but it appears that no progress has been made.

A spokesman for Kwik Save said: "Kwik Save has a very successful business at this store and has two years left to run on its lease.

"Robert Foden Estates began development of the site in advance of obtaining all the necessary planning consents and statutory consents on works to the local authority car park to the rear."

He added: "Kwik Save was successful in obtaining an injunction to stop this premature development that sought to prevent it from being able to use the property for the remainder of the lease.

"The injunction runs until the end of Kwik Save's lease on the property - December 2005. Kwik Save is still considering the development Robert Foden Estates is putting forward."

Meanwhile, residents have been left to look at the skeleton of a half finished development and Kwik Save staff left to wonder about their future.

A Kwik Save employee, who did not want to be named, said that staff at the store would be the last to know about any changes, commenting: "We don't know anything at the moment. We are in the dark.

"We have just been told that they are in negotiations."

Clr Mike Mahar, who represents Latchford Village, said: "No one is saying anything. It's an inconvenience for the folk in the village who want to know what's going on.

"I am hoping it's going to be advantageous. It's an interesting shape but I don't know what it will look like when it's finished."

Robert Foden did not want to comment on the progress of the development.