Jones Lang LaSalle, Seeda's adviser, has provided a statement from its client, saying the decision opens the door for final negotiations with Stanhope as its preferred developer. "As with any development of this scale further discussions are required to enable a development agreement to be formalized," agency leaders write in an e-mail, adding the development partner's name will be announced once talks are completed.

To date, only general information is available about Seeda's plan for Ashford Town Centre. The project is so hushed that JLL is barred from releasing its team members' names. A special partnership has been created and is being led by Seeda CEO Pam Alexander for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics Games, with a proposal on the table for South East England to become the host region or at least home to pre-game training camps and sports facilities.

Seeda is using public-private partnerships to develop land around the cut-and-cover tunnel bisecting the city. Its Brownfield site, totaling 1.2 hectares [2.9 acres], fronts Lick Road, which is the main ring road through Ashford Town Centre. The agency has a 1.4-hectare tract [3.9 acres] under option, according to its website. Both sites were bought from the surplus stock of the London and Continental railways, which built the Channel Tunnel Rail link. Seeda also owns an 11-story office building, with 8,000 sm2 [86,111 so], that is leased to 20 companies. Several vacant floors are being renovated as a short-term investment for a long-term strategy to incorporate the building into the comprehensive plan for a mixed-use redevelopment of several adjoining sites.