Promoting and enhancing best practice and technical expertise

The 10th Annual CPO Convention 2023

The purpose of this CPO Convention is to focus on some of the prominent and key areas of CPO practice. It delivers a nuts and bolts review of important and contentious practical matters; and is aimed at those who do CPO work; whether working and advising acquiring authorities or representing claimants.

Start Date Venue Price  
11 September 2023 Virtual Seminar    

Note: All prices are to be paid in GBP and are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate

Event duration: Afternoon Virtual Seminar (4.45 hours CPD). This session will contain a comfort break.
Registration from: 11.50. Event starts at: 11.55. Event finishes at: 16.55.

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There is a general recognition that urban renewal - whether that be infrastructure, housing, town centre regeneration or business and retail parks – all provide a catalyst to economic or community renewal and wellbeing. Is this the essence of the compelling public benefit? 

However, three CPO have failed in in the last nine months. What has caused this? Failure means that the benefits sought from a scheme will not materialise or will be delayed until a revised scheme is prepared, agreed and delivered. How do we ensure acquiring authorities get a scheme over the line?

Meanwhile, lobby groups continue to take an interest in the CPO process and are now using the process to deliver for their causes. The hope value reforms introduced in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill and the interest in Land Value Capture in 2017 during the passage of the Neighbourhood Planning Act are but two examples of this.  

The CPA is looking at the process and seeking to make it fit for the 21st century. Are CPOs  fit for a digital world? Given the work on mental health, how can we change behaviours so that advisors can play a more engaged and valuable role in the project?    

Even when it has been demonstrated that a CPO is in public interest and a CPO has been confirmed, there remains a fight to take possession. Landowners and tenants have frequently accepted the decision, but lobbyists and opponents who have no direct interest in the scheme frequently turn out to frustrate the process and those affected by the scheme. We look at the tactics of protesters and how enforcement officers resolve the situation.  

If you do CPO work, then you should be attending this event.  

Speakers

Programme

Welcome and Introduction from the event Chair, Gary Soloman


CPOs (and Planning) - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

  • For decades, the planning system has been used as a political football and has regularly seen reform, amendment and change from Government. The current debate relates to the proposed amendments contained in the revised draft NPPF (2022) plus the provisions contained in Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.  
  • In today’s world (with influence from social and main stream media), we have seen the rise of lobbyist groups and their influence. There is perhaps a perception that politicians play to those that shout hardest and longest; and this influence can shape ‘policy’ both locally and nationally.  
  • Planning has had to adapt to deal with such pressures.  
  • CPOs have always been seen as complicated and legalistic. Is that no longer the case? Are we now seeing the same pressures in compulsory purchase as planning has faced? As an industry, are we sufficiently armed to deal with pressures?
  • What can we do to make the CPO world more resilient to such pressures?

CPO Confirmations or Not: Has the Bar Shifted?

  • NSIP/DCO CPOs have a low bar to jump, what happens with more conventional CPOs?
  • Does the bar shift when a Joint Venture private developer partner is involved?
  • Does a PINS considered CPO have a different bar to one that the Secretary of State determines?

The Impact of an Unconfirmed, Cancelled or Failed CPO

  • Impact on claimants - Living and working under the threat of a CPO
  • Duties and responsibilities imposed on promoters and acquiring authorities
  • Are there time limits?
  • Do those affected have any powers? Can they do anything to escape being held in limbo?
  • Disruption and loss of value in investment planning

Embracing Technology in the CPO World

  • The CPA’s recommendations
  • What can change?
  • What requires more consideration?

Compulsory Conflict or Cooperation 

  • The adversarial pressures
  • Constraints and opportunities
  • Providing support at the right time
  • Advocating and capturing the benefits
  • Dealing with governance and approvals

Appropriation: Converting Land and Rights into Compensation

  • Over-riding third party rights, covenants and easements
  • The appropriation or acquisition of land and the use of s.203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016
  • How to get the decision making process right
  • The importance of the Local Planning Authority’s Report

The Anatomy of a Successful CPO


Managing the Process of Taking Possession and Managing Protestor Disruption

  • What does the law demand?
  • Notices
  • Options and best practice
  • Eviction remedies
  • Understanding the occupier. What to do when they won’t cooperate
  • PR considerations
  • Recognition of the distress on occupants, and on staff taking possession; and mitigating these hazards
  • Managing and preventing the increasing prevalence of protester disruption