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Compulsory Purchase Orders

A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is a legal power that allows us to buy land or property even if the owner does not wish to sell. 

A CPO is used as a last resort, usually when negotiations to buy a property by agreement have not been successful. 

Notice to Treat 

Once a CPO has been confirmed, we may serve a Notice to Treat. 

This is a formal document that: 

  • confirms our intention to buy the property 
  • invites the owner or leaseholder to submit a claim for compensation 

What happens after a CPO is confirmed 

When a CPO is confirmed (usually by the Secretary of State), we can begin the legal process to take ownership of the property. 

This is often done through a process known as vesting. 

We will serve a Notice of Vesting, which sets out the date when ownership will transfer. 

On that date: 

  • legal ownership transfers to us 
  • this can happen even if the amount of compensation has not yet been agreed 

We can take possession of the property after the vesting date. 

Your right to compensation is not affected. This includes home loss and disturbance payments. 

If compensation has not been agreed by the vesting date, you can request an advance payment under Section 52 of the Land Compensation Act 1952. We may pay up to 90% of its assessed compensation while the final amount is being agreed.