COMPULSORY PURCHASE

The use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) is increasingly common. They can be used by Councils to enable regeneration and or by utility companies to install or alter gas, water or electricity infrastructure. Highway Authorities have powers to build or alter new roads and promoters of major projects can obtain compulsory purchase rights through the granting of Development Consent Orders (DCOs) to assemble sites for large scale developments.

The compulsory purchase system is based on the general principle that an owner of property or land which is acquired or interfered with is entitled to compensation and should be no worse or better off in financial terms following the acquisition. Our CPO team works only for landowners and to guide them through the complexities of the system to negotiate compensation in accordance with industry best practice as defined by the Compulsory Purchase Association and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.