Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to allow (a) councils, (b) Natural England and (c) development corporations to have enhanced Compulsory Purchase Powers for the mandatory purchase of residential dwellings.

Local authorities and development corporations already have various powers to compulsorily acquire property for the purposes of supporting their functions. Natural England also has powers to compulsorily acquire land to establish and maintain nature reserves.

The government is reforming the compulsory purchase process and compensation rules via the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to enable more effective land assembly through public sector-led schemes. A more streamlined and efficient process will also enable authorities to make greater use of their compulsory purchase powers, with associated cost savings realised through faster acquisition decisions.