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Compulsory purchase orders

What is a compulsory purchase order?

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) can be made when an authority such as the council needs to acquire land for purposes that are considered to be in the public interest, but where agreement for the acquisition of the property cannot be reached or the owner of the property cannot be traced. For example, a CPO may be used to bring empty homes back into use or to regenerate an area.

A CPO must be confirmed by the Scottish Ministers, and when the council makes a CPO, it must apply to the Scottish Government for confirmation of the order.

Any interested party has the right to object to the order during the objection period. This period runs for not less than 21 days from the date notice of the CPO is first published. Any objection must be made in writing (by letter or email) directly to the Scottish Government. Details of where and by what date an objection can be made for any current CPO are stated in the notice of the relevant order (see below). The Scottish Ministers will consider any representations made before they decide whether to confirm the order. In some cases a hearing may be arranged to consider objections.

If the order is confirmed, a further notice is published to make known the confirmation of the order. Any persons with an interest in the property may apply for compensation in respect of their interest and this will be valued by an independent valuer.

Please see Scottish Government Guidance on CPOs for Owners and Tenants.

Current CPOs

CPOs currently promoted by North Ayrshire Council. Please see below the particular Order and any related documents:

  • There are no CPOs currently being promoted.

Completed CPOs

CPOs confirmed by the Scottish Ministers within the last 5 years.

2 Montgomerie Road, Saltcoats (April 2023)

Flat Ground East, 99 Nelson Street Largs (September 2021)

School Road, Kilbirnie (August 2019)

Information on all confirmed CPOs in Scotland can accessed in the Compulsory Purchase Orders Register maintained by the Scottish Government.