A compulsory purchase order (CPO) is a legal tool that some public sector organisations, including councils, can use to compulsorily acquire land or property.

CPOs are most often used to support building development, regeneration and infrastructure projects that are in the public interest.

The government has produced guidance to explain why and how compulsory purchase orders are made.

Throughout the process, we will negotiate and communicate with all affected parties to try to acquire interests by agreement. We will only seek to implement a confirmed CPO as a last resort action if all parties cannot agree terms within a reasonable timescale.