Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2015/107

Contact: Richard Warren, Strategic Manager – Project Delivery Tel: (01865) 241577

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CA11).

The Council’s Major Infrastructure Delivery Team is managing the delivery of a number of major highway improvement schemes.  Some of these schemes require additional land to enable delivery of the proposed improvements which will reduce congestion, improve movement, access and safety and encourage use of sustainable transport.

This report details various schemes which are at an early stage of development, but which are considered, subject to approvals, to require additional land. Any delay in acquisition of the land to progress the schemes could result in loss of opportunity to secure funding and meeting Government programme for residential and business growth.

The report requests the delegation by Cabinet to the Director of Environment and Economy in consultation with the Executive Cabinet member to exercise Compulsory Purchase powers for the purchase of land for these schemes, in the event that the land required cannot be purchased by negotiation.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)            approve delegation of the exercising of Compulsory Purchase powers to the Director of Environment and Economy, in consultation with the Executive Cabinet Member for the purchase of land required for the delivery of the major infrastructure schemes outlined in paragraphs 7, 8 and 11 of this report, in the event that the land cannot be acquired by negotiation so as to keep to the programme of the schemes.

(b)            note that in so far as the whole or any part or parts of land required is not acquired by negotiation, the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order under provisions contained in Part XII of the Highways Act 1980 for the acquisition of the land, will be progressed.  This could include providing the necessary attendance, expert witness provision etc at a Public Inquiry if required.

Recommendations agreed.

The Council’s Major Infrastructure Delivery Team is managing the delivery of a number of major highway improvement schemes.  Some of these schemes require additional land to enable delivery of the proposed improvements which will reduce congestion, improve movement, access and safety and encourage use of sustainable transport.

Cabinet considered a report that detailed various schemes which are at an early stage of development, but which are considered, subject to approvals, to require additional land. The report requests the delegation by Cabinet to the Director of Environment and Economy in consultation with the Executive Cabinet member to exercise Compulsory Purchase powers for the purchase of land for these schemes, in the event that the land required cannot be purchased by negotiation.

Councillor Hards, speaking as a local councillor supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED:        to:

(a)            approve delegation of the exercising of Compulsory Purchase powers to the Director of Environment and Economy, in consultation with the Executive Cabinet Member for the purchase of land required for the delivery of the major infrastructure schemes outlined in paragraphs 7, 8 and 11 of this report, in the event that the land cannot be acquired by negotiation so as to keep to the programme of the schemes.

(b)            note that in so far as the whole or any part or parts of land required is not acquired by negotiation, the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order under provisions contained in Part XII of the Highways Act 1980 for the acquisition of the land, will be progressed.  This could include providing the necessary attendance, expert witness provision etc at a Public Inquiry if required.