Using compulsory purchase powers is a serious matter whether you are the acquiring authority seeking to acquire land or a landowner or occupier faced with the possibility of losing your land, your home or your business.
Our expert team can help you through this process whether you are looking to use compulsory purchase order powers or under threat from them. We have years of experience advising both local authorities seeking to make an order as well as advising those seeking to oppose or modify such orders or obtain the right amount of compensation if your land and rights are acquired.
So how can we assist you?
If you are an authority proposing to use a compulsory purchase order we can give expert advice on:
- The correct statutory powers to use to make the order
- The process to authorise the use of the order making powers
- Drafting the proposed order and supporting documents
- Possible objections and tactics to how to deal with them
- Preparing for and appearing at any public inquiry
- Following confirmation of the order the most suitable methods to acquire a legal intent in the land
- Compensation issues
- Application for certificates of appropriate alteration development
- Defending references made by claimants to the Upper Chamber (Lands Tribunal)
- Dealing with developers and proposed development partners when they form an integral part of the compulsory purchase order process including drafting and negotiating development agreements, land transfer arrangements and any necessary licences leases or other property documentation.
If you are a landowner, occupier or other person who may be affected by a proposed compulsory purchase order we can provide expert advice to help you:
- Find your way through the compulsory order process and advise you on how to make valid and robust objections to the proposal or, perhaps more importantly, seek modifications to the order to protect your interest.
- Make formal representations to any public inquiry.
- Identify any areas of legal challenges to the process.
- With negotiations with the compulsory purchase order authority both before and during the compulsory purchase order process to negotiate a satisfactory compensation settlement.
- Should all else fail, with making an application to the Upper Chamber (Lands Tribunal) to have your claim for compensation settled.
