Despite COVID-19, currently there has been no update to the release schedule of the Planning White Paper due this spring. Assuming the release goes ahead, what changes will there be for local authorities and what will this mean for any future compulsory purchase orders (CPOs)?
The government is planning to reform the compulsory purchase process to speed up land being freed for development and delivery of new infrastructure and housing.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) released a policy statement last month “Planning for the Future” which promised further support and expertise for Local Authorities (LAs) in the effective promotion and progress of compulsory purchase orders. It is hoped that this will give LAs greater confidence in using their compulsory purchase powers.
The MHCLG will also consult on legislative reforms to speed up the decision-making procedure for compulsory purchase orders. In order to speed up the process, the government intends to consult on:
- Introducing statutory timescales for decisions;
- Ending the automatic right to a public inquiry;
- Encouraging early agreements on compensation for land and interests acquired; and
- Exploring the scope to remit more decisions back to LAs.
These new measures will assist LAs through the CPO process and are intended to support the development of more, desperately-needed housing and infrastructure delivery by speeding up the process of land assembly leading up to construction.
We will provide a full update on the exact measures proposed and their impact once the Planning White Paper is released.
This article is for general awareness only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this page was first published. If you would like further advice and assistance in relation to any of the issues raised in this [article][blog], please contact us today by telephone or email enquiries@sharpepritchard.co.uk.
