As many of you will know the Scottish Government has embarked on a review of Circular 42/1976 (Yip, that’s right, 1976). The aim is to provide up to date and focussed guidance which will endorse properly used CPO’s as important tools to assemble land needed for projects to deliver economic recovery, social change and efficient regeneration and sustainable economic growth. The SG is keen to encourage authorities to proactively use CPO’s where appropriate. It is anticipated that the new guidance will be published in November.
Additionally, the SG intends to issue plain English guidance to owners whose land may be affected by a CPO.
The SG is consulting widely on the use of CPO’s, pros and cons. what works , what doesn’t. They do appear to be genuinely interested in hearing from a wide range of stakeholders. We have met with the lead official who has responded well to suggestions regarding consultees and who may well have been in touch with you as a consequence of our meeting with him earlier in the year.
The SG is open to comments from others who have not been consulted direct so, if you have something to say on the topic, now is the time to do so. Would affected parties benefit from clearer guidance? What do clients raise with you and/or your colleagues? Do you know of a situation where compulsory purchase ought to have been an option, but for whatever reason did not happen?
Compulsory purchase is never going to be an easy option and, in most cases it is unlikely to be altogether straightforward. It has the potential to create controversy, if recent events in Aberdeenshire are anything to go by. But provided the public interest case can be made it may help speed up, rather than inhibit development.
As said, comments welcome.
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thanks for the update – very useful!