Compulsory purchase is a vital tool to help public authorities deliver development opportunities that have wider public benefits.
What do our compulsory purchase surveyors do?
Our compulsory purchase surveyors and legal professionals are market leaders in advising on Compulsory Purchase Orders (sometimes shortened to CPOs) from both a property and legal perspective.
The surveying experts within Gateley Hamer regularly advise scheme promoters (i.e. acquiring authorities or developers) on the promotion and implementation of Compulsory Purchase Orders, valuing and assessing compensation entitlement, and assembling land by agreement. Our compulsory purchase surveyors also advise affected property owners and occupiers from initial consultation through to settlement of compensation claims. The planning lawyers within Gateley Legal regularly advise clients on the law behind Compulsory Purchase Order procedure and compensation. Throughout each stage of a scheme we help our clients to deliver schemes, whilst creating significant cost savings and minimising risks.
How we help scheme promotors with compulsory purchase
Our compulsory purchase surveyors advise acquiring authorities and developers on Compulsory Purchase Orders for housing and regeneration projects, Transport and Works Act Orders, Highway Orders and Development Consent Orders throughout the UK. Our services include:
- land referencing to ensure all affected parties are kept informed of the potential CPO
- landowner and statutory consultation
- negotiation of access licences for surveys
- land assembly cost estimates
- development and implementation of acquisition strategies
- negotiation of option and compromise agreements
- negotiation to acquire land by agreement in the “shadow” of a CPO
- preparation of CPO documents, such as statement of reasons, CPO Schedule and Map, etc.
- management of objections
- expert witness services at public inquiries, hearings and at the Upper Tribunal
- negotiation and settlement of compensation claims.
Our compulsory purchase expertise enables us to deliver significant cost and programme savings to our clients as well as minimising the risk of things going wrong through each stage of this complex process.
How we help property owners and occupiers with compulsory purchase
We act for businesses, home owners and developers to make sure the impact of compulsory purchase is minimised and to negotiate fair compensation in line with the statutory compensation code. Our services include:
- responding to pre-application consultation
- negotiating compromise and other undertaking agreements
- challenging the case for the use of compulsory purchase powers
- negotiating a sale by agreement or compensation claim in the “shadow” of a CPO
- advice on statutory blight
- negotiating fair compensation, including market value, disturbance, statutory payments, etc.
- expert witness services at public inquiries, hearings and at the Upper Tribunal
- providing assistance with relocation requirements.
Gateley Hamer will manage the handover of vacant possession of properties, negotiate advance payments and negotiate the final compensation, typically by agreement, but utilising alternative dispute resolution or the Upper Tribunal, if required.
It is important to note that our fees should be recoverable from the acquiring authority, so costs should not be a barrier to seeking professional advice when affected by compulsory purchase orders.
Who do we help?
Whether you are an acquiring authority or developer looking to implement a Compulsory Purchase Order, or a property owner who is threatened by compulsory purchase, our compulsory purchase surveyors are able to provide support on all aspects of the process.