Planning Update: Compulsory Purchase Orders And Local Authorities

Local authorities have significant powers to compulsorily acquire land. Recently, there has been a marked increase in certain local authorities compulsorily acquiring vacant properties for the purposes of the provision of social housing.

Housing Act, 1966

Part V of the Housing Act, 1966 gives local authorities a general power of compulsory purchase.

In order to acquire a piece of land or property, the local authority must serve on every owner, lessee and occupier of the land or property to which the CPO relates a notice stating the effect of the order. It must state that it is about to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála, Ireland's planning authority, for confirmation and it must specify the time within which and how objections can be made.