UKThe council wants to compulsorily purchase my home for a development.
The council can only compulsorily purchase your home if it has legal authority for the development and follows strict statutory procedures, including serving a notice and offering fair compensation.
What the Law Says
The Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 sets out the legal framework that public authorities — like local councils — must follow when acquiring land or property without the owner’s consent.
Compulsory purchase is not automatic: the council must prove the acquisition serves a clear public purpose, such as building infrastructure, housing, or regeneration. It cannot buy your home simply for commercial gain or convenience.
Section 7 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 is central to this process. It governs how a 'compulsory purchase order' (CPO) is made and confirmed — but crucially, it does not itself grant power to acquire land. Instead, it sets out the procedure that must be followed by bodies already authorised by other legislation (e.g., the Housing Act 1985 or Local Government Act 1972) to make a CPO.
Before taking your home, the council must serve formal notices, allow time for objections, and — if objections are raised — hold a public inquiry. Only after the Secretary of State confirms the CPO can the council proceed.
Statutory Texts. 7: ---
— Compulsory Purchase Act 1965, s. 7 — [no text provided in source]
What to Do
Check whether the council has lawful authority to make the CPO (e.g., under another Act).
Review the draft CPO and accompanying statement of reasons — these must be publicly available.
Submit written objections within the statutory 21-day period after the CPO is published.
Request a public inquiry if your objection is not withdrawn and concerns remain unresolved.
Seek independent valuation advice — you are entitled to full market value plus disturbance and relocation costs.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.