Overview

The compulsory purchase order can be a powerful tool for acquiring authorities and developers. However, the laws and procedures around CPO are complex and require specialist expertise.

Our compulsory purchase lawyers have built a national reputation for outstanding work in compulsory purchase order strategy, policy and process. We work with acquiring authorities promoting CPOs and have developed a specialist online CPO service to support local authorities. When acting for developers, we help them to work with acquiring authorities and use CPOs to enable development. We also undertake work for companies and landowners affected by CPO proposals.

Our compulsory purchase lawyers advise acquiring authorities and landowners on all aspects of CPO compensation. Where compensation for a compulsory purchase order cannot be agreed, we advise on references to the Lands Chamber (Upper Tribunal) and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland. We undertake Lands Chamber advocacy. We are able to provide an initial risk assessment of CPO compensation claims in appropriate cases, without charge.

Areas of focus

Compulsory purchase order expertise includes the following:

  • Advice to acquiring authorities on strategy, policy and process.
  • A secure online service for local authorities, including a suite of CPO documents, processes and timelines.
  • Advising on Indemnity Agreements and Development Agreements in the context of CPO.
  • Promotion of CPO, and related Orders.
  • Advising acquiring authorities and landowners on all aspects of the compensation code.
  • Advice on certificates of appropriate alternative development.
  • References to the Lands Chamber (Upper Tribunal) and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland, including advocacy.
Experience

Advising Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council on the promotion of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) and side road orders for the South Bristol Link. We continue to advise these local authorities as they construct the scheme.

Advising Pembrokeshire County Council on the promotion of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) and side road orders for a by-pass road scheme.

Providing legal support to Isle of Anglesey Council on compulsory purchase issues in relation to road schemes connected to the proposed new nuclear power station at Wylfa and related developments.

Advising the Canal & River Trust on an objection to a compulsory purchase order (CPO) being promoted for a 3,750 home mixed-use scheme in London, including associated negotiations and compensation.

Acting for Hawksworth PLC, promoter of large scale leisure-led regeneration scheme in Peterborough City centre, including strategic advice on scheme delivery and compulsory purchase.

Providing CPO advice in the context of nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), including advising Highways England (A19/A1058 and M20 schemes) and RWE (Galloper offshore wind farm).

Acting for a local authority in partnership with a developer on the compulsory acquisition of land required for a major office led £270 million regeneration project.

Acting for local authorities in connection with the compulsory purchase of land needed for a number of major highway proposals in England and Wales including successfully promoting the South Bristol Link, 5km of new road South of Bristol.

Advising a landowner as the principle objector to a major housing-led CPO in South West London.

Acting for developers on the CPO aspects of a number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects including rail, biomass and on and offshore wind.

Advising a PLC on a £80 million compensation claim in relation to a proposed scheme by Natural England.

Meet the team
Gary Soloman

Gary Soloman Partner

  • Head of Planning and Compulsory Purchase
  • Regeneration and Highways
  • Compulsory Purchase and Compensation
Julian Boswall

Julian Boswall Partner

  • Energy and Utilities
  • Infrastructure
  • Planning and Compulsory Purchase
Elizabeth Dunn

Elizabeth Dunn Partner

  • Energy and Utilities
  • Infrastructure
  • Real Estate
Patrick Robinson

Patrick Robinson Consultant

  • Energy and Utilities
  • Infrastructure
  • Planning and Compulsory Purchase
Headshot of Alex Minhinick

Alex Minhinick Partner

  • Planning and Compulsory Purchase
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Infrastructure

What others say...

It is very easy to work with Burges Salmon. The firm is good at dealing with complex issues and large projects, as well as thinking strategically and tactically, which is critical in our field.

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