Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO)
The London Development Agency (LDA) is reponsible for delivering the land for the long term regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley and for the development of the Olympic Park facilities. The LDA made two Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) in 2005 to ensure that this land is secured within the agreed timescales.
What is a Compulsory Purchase Order?
CPO powers are granted to local authorities and other public bodies to enable them to assemble land required for major regeneration projects where there is a compelling case in the public interest.
In this case, the LDA made these CPO's for the undergrounding of powerlines across the Olympic site and to secure the land required for the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley and delivery of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The LDA has the statutory power to compulsorily acquire land under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998
The first CPO was made to underground the Powerlines in the Lower Lea Valley. The second CPO was made to deliver the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley and safeguard the acquisition of the land required for the Olympic Park.
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has now confirmed both of these Compulsory Purchase Orders. The Powerlines CPO was confirmed on 4 April 2005. The Lower Lea Valley, Olympic and Legacy Compulsory Purchase Order 2005 was confirmed on 18 December 2006.
- Although these CPO's have been confirmed, the LDA's preferred option for acquiring the land continues to be through private agreement.
Back to top