Compulsory Acquisition
What every property owner and occupier should know
What are compulsory purchase and statutory rights?
This is when the
government, local council or utility company has the legal right to
buy or take rights over your private property if it falls within a
public or private construction project such as:
- Airport expansions
- Housing developments
- Electricity pylons and cables
- Flood defence work
- Sewer, water or gas pipe schemes
- Rail or road building projects
Different compulsory purchase or statutory powers
are needed to implement the above schemes. For example, water pipes
are laid under statutory rights under the Water Industry Act 1991
and a road bypass will have its own compulsory purchase order
through the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.
In all cases, the owners and occupiers of the
properties to be acquired or affected by the scheme will be served
Notices, with differing expiry times. All the schemes provide
compensation to owners and occupiers directly affected by the
scheme.
Voluntary Acquisition
If your property is earmarked for
acquisition under compulsory action then you can ask for the
property to be purchased it in advance of the compulsory purchase
order. If you are considering advance purchase, assistance may be
offered to help you with the sale and a relocation support package
may be available in certain cases to help you find an alternative
home.You may also attract additional compensation payments which
may vary according to your status e.g. home owner, tenant, lessee,
etc.
Some advice will vary from authority
to authority so it is advisable to contact your own local
authority. To find out who your local authority is, you can check
your Council Tax bill or enter your postcode on the DirectGov - the
Government information website
www.direct.gov.uk |