Chichester District Council & Countryside Properties – Land Assembly

Chichester District Council and Countryside Properties (UK) Limited intended to assemble circa 76 hectares of land and bring forward the Tangmere Strategic Development Location to deliver 1,300 dwellings, a village centre, primary school and associated infrastructure.

The required land was in a number of ownerships. Whilst the landowners had previously been in negotiations with each other to agree terms for the delivery of the proposed development they had been unable to reach agreement as to how the proceeds should be shared. The Council had  appointed Countryside as their preferred developer to assemble and deliver the proposed development. Whilst Countryside, advised by DWD, were able to progress negotiations with the majority of parties, it became clear that not all parties were co-operative and it would be necessary to exercise compulsory purchase powers.

We advised the Council and Countryside in respect of the obtaining of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). As part of this, we negotiated with the Affected Persons/Objectors to the CPO and presented evidence to a Public Inquiry in support of the CPO. Whilst agreements were secured and objections withdrawn, a number remained for which evidence had to be presented.

The CPO has now been confirmed as proposed and DWD are advising in respect of the service of acquisition notices and settlement and/or determination of claims by the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber.