Compulsory Purchase

To deliver a development, a developer may require land which is not currently within its ownership. A local authority can assist a developer in these circumstances by exercising its statutory powers to compulsorily purchase the land by making a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)

CPOs are typically made in relation to significant development schemes or infrastructure projects. CPOs should also be considered as a last resort after normal conveyancing negotiations with landowners to acquire their land fail

The process for making a CPO is lengthy and complex with statutory requirements imposed on the local authority throughout the process, including requiring notices to be served on landowners, consultation/publication requirements and timescales to be adhered to

Objections to the making of a CPO can result in a written representations procedure or public inquiry before an Inspector before the CPO can be confirmed

Our experience and why use our firm?

Our lawyers have acted on behalf of local authorities making CPOs, developers promoting CPOs, and also objectors to CPOs

We have an understanding of the whole compulsory purchase process from start to finish and can advise on any aspect of this process, including:

• Referencing of interests to be acquired
  
• CPO Indemnity Agreement
  
• Statement of Reasons
  
• Making of the CPO Order
  
• Dealing with objections
  
• Confirmation of the CPO by written representations procedure or public inquiry
  
• Implementation of the CPO by General Vesting Declaration or Notice to Treat

We are also able to prepare and submit an objection to a CPO if instructed by an objector (whether this be a landowner or other interested party)