Appropriation & Compulsory Purchase

At Devonshires, regeneration is at the heart of what we do. With decades of experience advising on complex, multi-stakeholder urban redevelopment projects, we help clients unlock the potential of land and infrastructure to deliver vibrant, inclusive communities.

Our regeneration team works across the full lifecycle of development - from site assembly and planning to construction, funding, and delivery. We act for registered providers, local authorities, developers, and joint venture partners, offering strategic legal advice that balances commercial pressures with long-term social value.

Our team are market leaders in advising on compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) and appropriation strategies for housing regeneration.

CPOs and appropriation are powerful tools to enable to land to be assembled free from third party rights which might prevent development from proceeding.  The legal framework and procedures surrounding these tools are complex requiring our knowledge and experience 

We’ve supported thousands of regeneration projects across the UK. Our work has helped deliver thousands of new homes, jobs, and public spaces, always with a focus on creating places where people and businesses can thrive.

Our expertise includes:

• Structuring appropriation and CPO strategies, and working alongside acquiring authorities to de‑risk projects and support successful delivery.
• Drafting and negotiating indemnity agreements on behalf of acquiring authorities to secure and underpin CPOs and appropriations.
• Advising on decanting and relocation strategies to minimise disruption, protect tenants and manage funding obligations.
• Representing landowners affected by the CPO process to ensure their interests are fully protected.
• Supporting the alignment of wider development objectives through:
  • Planning agreements and infrastructure delivery.
  • Joint ventures and development partnerships.
  • Community engagement and stakeholder coordination.

For when you need a compulsory purchase lawyer, or CPO legal advice, our team brings the technical depth and practical judgement needed to keep projects moving.

To discuss how our appropriation and compulsory purchase team can unlock your project, please contact one of our specialists.

Our Services

We act for acquiring authorities, registered providers, developers and major landowners on a broad range of regeneration and development‑related CPO and appropriation matters. Our recent instructions include:

Clapham Park Regeneration Project, Lambeth

• Advising Metropolitan on the Clapham Park Regeneration Project in Lambeth, one of the UK’s largest residential-led regeneration schemes. The development spans 36 hectares and will deliver over 4,080 homes, including affordable and market housing, alongside energy infrastructure and commercial space. Our role includes advising on the largest detailed planning application in the country, negotiating section 106 agreements and deeds of variation, third party licences, highways and utilities agreements, rights to light, compulsory purchase matters, and ESCO-related leases. Our instruction has continued throughout 2024 due to the scale and complexity of the project.

Sawyers Lane Estates, Windsor

• Advising on the redevelopment of Sawyers Lane Estates in Windsor for 413 new homes, open space and recreation areas.  Our role included advising the Developer, on third party rights which might interfere with the development and how to overcome these, including a potential scheme to make use of the council’s planning appropriation and compulsory purchase powers.