The Executive Director of Development had submitted a report to seek approval to utilise the Council’s Compulsory Purchase powers to support the acquisition of properties required for Phase 2 of the Blackbird Leys Development Project. Councillor Smith presented the report outlining that phase 1 of the regeneration scheme was under way for new homes, new shops, and a new community centre. Preparation is under way for phase 2 which involves planning for the use of compulsory purchase order powers as a last resort if agreement cannot be sought in the first instance. She explained that the report would allow necessary preparation to take place, but that a Cabinet decision would still be required in the future should the use of the compulsory purchase order powers be necessary. The unit in question includes shops and maisonettes which would be taken down for the development of a new residential block containing 98 affordable units.  

Cabinet agreed to  

1.    Authorise the use by the Council of its Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) making powers pursuant to Section 226(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the acquisition of the land and [section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for the acquisition of new rights over land] shown outlined in red on the plan attached as Appendix 1.  

2.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management and the Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities:  

a.    to take all necessary steps to secure the making, seeking confirmation and implementation of a CPO under section 226(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 including the publication and service of all notices and presentation of the Council’s case at any public inquiry following the making of the Compulsory Purchase Order for the land shown on the plan attached as Appendix 1. To agree in principle to the use of the Council’s compulsory purchase order powers pursuant to section 226(1) (a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to acquire third party rights and interests subject to detailed land referencing exercise, in order tofacilitate the Blackbird Leys Development Project

b.    approve and enter agreements with landowners setting out the terms for withdrawal of objections to the Compulsory Purchase Order, including, where appropriate seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the Compulsory Purchase Order and/or making arrangements for the relocation of occupiers  

c.     to agree the terms and any documentation required to settle any property matters necessary to progress the regeneration scheme.