CLA writes to Chancellor over compulsory purchase concerns

The CLA is writing to the Chancellor after she said compulsory purchase will be used if land is not offered to develop the Oxford-Cambridge arc.

Rachel Reeves made the comments in a speech earlier this week, setting out how the government could use compulsory purchase powers as it attempts to bring forward development and infrastructure.

But the CLA has raised concerns about the rhetoric, arguing government should work with landowners to accelerate the bringing forward of homes.

Gavin Lane, President of the CLA, said:

“Landowners are not the blocker here. Many would willingly put forward land for development if the process wasn’t so bureaucratic, expensive and full of risk.

“Local authorities have been too slow to adopt local plans which has left landowners with little direction. Successive governments' interest at a national level has been just as inconsistent. It’s unreasonable to expect landowners to spend thousands of pounds on what may be seen as speculative development when the outcome is so uncertain.

“We do not oppose Development Corporations, but they need to be limited to just the area that is required rather than whole districts. Policies need to acknowledge the differences between the sustainability credentials of rural and urban areas and contain practical policies to ensure that rural villages and settlements are sustainable.

"Instead of forcing sales through an adversarial compulsory purchase system, the government should work with landowners to accelerate the bringing forward of homes, backed by a process that’s efficient and fair.”

Reeves is to double funding for the OxCam corridor, with up to £800 million now available for building infrastructure to kickstart development around Oxford and Cambridge, including new homes, labs and workspaces.