The Law Commission of England and Wales has been asked to look at modernising compulsory purchase laws.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) asked the commission to ensure these laws support critical infrastructure.
The legislation is also used to secure land for housing developments, community facilities, and environmental and climate projects.
Compulsory purchase laws have not been reviewed for almost 20 years.
The commission will look at the procedures governing purchase, and the system for assessing compensation.
Preliminary research will begin shortly. This will include a review of the 2003 and 2004 Law Commission reports on compulsory purchase.
There will also be pre-consultation engagement with stakeholders and analysis of the current law.
Levelling up minister Dehenna Davison said: “Giving councils the right tools to drive forward regeneration across our towns and cities and deliver much-needed new homes is essential to our levelling up mission.”
She said the review would ensure the rules were “fit for purpose” and give councils “greater confidence” on when and how to use the powers. Davison added the review would also ensure “fair compensation”.
Public Law Commissioner Nicholas Paines, King’s Counsel, said: “It is important that the legislative regime is effective, consistent, and clear to both landowners and acquiring authorities – but the current laws are fragmented and complex, often leading to uncertainty and unpredictability.”
