CPO Talking Heads: September

Access All Areas? The High Court Clarifies Survey Powers

This event runs as an informal discussion with a small panel of leading and informed practitioners extracting the nuances from this months topic "Access All Areas? The High Court Clarifies Survey Powers". It will discuss practical issues that arise, with participants in the meeting being encouraged to listen, join in, ask questions and share comments.

Module Duration: 1 hour

Recorded: 28/09/2026

Areas covered

Access to land for environmental and engineering surveys is an essential part of land assembly whether using compulsory purchase or DCO powers - but what constitutes effective notice, how much detail must it contain and how long can it remain valid?

Following the judicial review concerning Green GEN Cymru’s proposed electricity network projects, the High Court has provided the first detailed consideration of survey access powers under section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

The panel will consider the judgment from the perspectives of acquiring authorities, landowners and their professional advisers, and identify the practical lessons for anyone serving, receiving or challenging statutory survey notices.

September's Talking Heads

• Hugh Flanagan, Barrister, Francis Taylor Building
• Paul Astbury BSc (Hons) FRICS, Partner, Head of Compulsory Purchase, Carter Jonas LLP
• Mark Burton, Policy Adviser – Planning and Infrastructure, CLA Cymru
• Jonathan Leary, Managing Senior Associate, Pinsent Masons