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Land Assembly
Before work could start on the Morrisons redevelopment scheme, all the different land interests on the site had to be acquired. The city council worked hard to secure agreements with land owners through negotiation, but compulsory purchase powers could have been used as a last resort.
On 20.07.2005 Bristol City Council Cabinet reaffirmed the need for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to assist the regeneration of Symes Avenue.
Lawyers appointed by the city council then carried out all the necessary information gathering required for the CPO and put together the documentation required to formally 'make' the Order. Once completed, CPO notices were served on all the relevant property interests, dated 06.10.2005, and advertised in the local press.
Accompanying the notices was a document known as a Statement of Reasons [PDF 888 Kb] for making the Order which explains why the CPO is being used.
Any objections made to the CPO following the service of the notices had to be made in writing to the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State at the Government Office for the South West 2 Rivergate, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6ED. Depending on the grounds of any objection lodged and who lodges the objection, there may have then needed to be a Public Inquiry, held before an Inspector appointed by the Minister. After consideration of the Inspector's Report, the Minister would have decided whether to confirm, modify or reject the CPO.
It should be noted that the Minister may disregard objections if he/she is satisfied that the objection relates:-
- exclusively to matters that can be dealt with by the Lands Tribunal i.e. disputes regarding the level of compensation payable or partial acquisition of properties; or
- amounts in substance to an objection to the provisions of the development plan.
If no objections are received, or objections are either disregarded by the Minister or negotiated away prior to the public inquiry, the inquiry would not be required and subject to the Minister being satisfied with the process, the CPO could then be confirmed.
In response to the CPO notices a small number of objections were received. The city council then negotiated with the objectors to see if their objections could be overcome and the need for a public inquiry avoided.
In accordance with the CPO procedure, on 16th December 2005, the city council submitted it's Statement of Case (Word document) to the Government Office for the South West.
The public inquiry into the objections lodged was due to be held on 8th August 2006 at the Gatehouse Centre, Hareclive Road, Hartcliffe. However, following the late withdrawal of all the objections the public inquiry was cancelled (04.08.06).
On 25.08.06 the Government Office for the South West confirmed the CPO. Press and individual notices to be served on landowners in the following week.
For information, the city council submitted three proofs of evidence to support it's case for the CPO at the inquiry:
- Proof of evidence of Mr John Boutwood, Bristol City Council
- Proof of evidence of Mr Joe Jeffrey, Bristol City Council
- Proof of evidence of Mr James Brook, Morrisons
For more detailed information on Compulsory Purchase and Compensation visit the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website.