Whilst the consultation proposes a number of helpful reforms, we would like to see further reform including:
- A default position that all decisions on confirmation of a compulsory purchase order are delegated to the acquiring authority, with the Secretary of State retaining the ability to use his/her recovery powers in exceptional circumstances
- A more fundamental consolidation and streamlining of the legislative provisions for compulsory purchase
- Stronger compulsory purchase powers where planning permissions have expired and development has not commenced
- Ability to acquire land for Garden Cities and large scale land assembly at closer to existing use value to capture more uplift in land value for infrastructure and community benefits.
- Stronger compulsory purchase powers to tackle empty homes
- Powers for councils to direct the use of publicly owned land
- Link to government consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-compulsory-purchase-process
LGA response:
Consultation:
Improving the compulsory purchase process