Law Commission consultation on compulsory purchase

This is a public consultation by the Law Commission for England and Wales. ​Compulsory purchase is a legal mechanism by which certain bodies can acquire land for the public good without the consent of the owner. Landowners also have a right to compensation. The ability to purchase land using compulsory powers is crucial for large-scale infrastructure projects, which are expected to increase, especially in light of the UK’s net zero targets. These powers are also needed for regenerating towns, cities, and providing housing. However, they can have significant negative impacts on affected individuals and businesses, so should only be used as a last resort when in the public interest. The law of compulsory purchase in England and Wales is fragmented, hard to access and in need of modernisation. In the early 2000s, this led to a three-year project by the Law Commission, Towards a Compulsory Purchase Code , which resulted in the publication of two re