What is Compulsory Purchase?
Compulsory Purchase Orders are typically made in relation to large infrastructure projects including roads, railways, airports, regeneration developments etc. Compulsory Purchase Orders are issued by the authority acquiring the applicable land which is usually the local government, government agencies, utility companies etc. The acquisition of the land/site in relation to a Compulsory Purchase Order needs to be proven to be in the public’s interest to ensure it is successful. A Compulsory Purchase Order is normally achieved through a public inquiry.
Receipt of a Compulsory Purchase Order does not always result in the owner of a property being required to submit to the property being purchased. The Compulsory Purchase Order indicates that an application has been made to the relevant government department and it often takes months or years for the Compulsory Purchase to be activated. The owner of the property will be given the opportunity to object to the order and to negotiate the proposal.
A valuation surveyor can be engaged at the outset of the project to advise the acquiring authority on the market value of the various assets which are intended to be purchased via a Compulsory Purchase Order. This market valuation should also reflect the likely loss in value which has resulted from the Compulsory Purchase Order being enacted. A valuation surveyor can also be engaged by the property owner to assess whether the proposed market valuation is adequate/acceptable.