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Compulsory Purchase Order

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In this economic climate, the emphasis is on major infrastructure and public sector projects. The introduction of the Localism Act, implementation of the Planning Act 2008 and the development consent order procedure for infrastructure schemes needs to be negotiated by promoters and objectors.

In addition the Localism Act, when it starts to take effect, will change the position again. The weight of cases currently referred to the Lands Chamber, particularly arising out of land assembly for the Olympics and Crossrail, will change our understanding of the law on compensation. In the meantime, compulsory purchase schemes for regeneration are stalled in many areas and promoters and claimants are attempting to make the best of their position. This is a time where expertise in this area of law is particularly critical for all concerned. We realise that land assembly strategies are critical to projects at home and overseas and are experts in the  effects that local land assembly jurisdictions can have on the timing of delivery of projects, which may have significant commercial effects.

Our market-leading planning team has significant experience of successful promotion of compulsory purchase orders for commercial and infrastructure schemes. The team acts for a wide range of clients in promoting schemes, including planning authorities, highway authorities and utility companies and other infrastructure providers, and in many cases their private sector developer partners. We also act for objectors and claimants over a wide range of interests, from high value commercial, through agricultural and smaller businesses. The team’s experience for planning and CPO work is unmatched by any of our competitors or traditional parliamentary agency practices. Our work regularly involves us in CPO inquiries (either promoting, supporting or objecting to acquisitions). These projects frequently require us to advise not only on the law, but also on issues such as fairness, statutory requests for information, consultation and hardship policies. In addition we regularly guide acquiring authorities and their partners through the process, both to preserve the reputation of the acquiring authority and to avoid challenges of their decisions.

Get in touch

Sarah Beattie

Sarah Beattie

BLP
Associate Director, Planning and Environment
Tim Hellier

Tim Hellier

BLP
Partner, Planning and Environment

If you need help with a legal or business issue, please contact our team.