Information about Council Owned Land and Property

Quick links ...

• Asset register,
• Letting,
• Compulsory purchase of land. 

Asset register

The downloadable asset register (PDF, 93Kb) - last updated 31st of March 2011.  

Letting

The Council has some property that, from time to time, becomes available for letting. Any property currently available in the Babergh District Council area and within Suffolk County area can be seen at the Choose Suffolk website.

Compulsory Purchase of Land

Compulsory purchase powers are an important tool for local authorities and other public bodies as a means of assembling land needed to help deliver economic, social and environmental change. Like other local authorities, Babergh District Council has a range of powers to compulsorily acquire property for specific purposes and for development and planning purposes.

The making of a compulsory purchase order has to be authorised by the Council.

Compulsory purchase is a legal process but the basis steps are as follows:

1. Negotiations to be carried with landowners.
2. A statement of reasons for making the Order to be prepared (i.e. a detailed case will need to be substantiated for the Compulsory Purchase Order).
3. The Order to be sealed by the Council.
4. Notice of making the Order to be given (including on those persons having an interest in the land).
5. Persons having an interest in the land and other qualifying persons may object to the Order.
6. The Order to be submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation.
7. If there are any objections and these have been withdrawn, or if any objections have not been withdrawn, after the written representations procedure or a Public Inquiry (see below), the Secretary of State may confirm the Order either with or without modifications. If there are no objections at all, the Secretary of State may direct the Council to confirm the Order
8. If there are any objections and these are not withdrawn, the Secretary of State may cause a Public Inquiry to be held.  Alternatively, if all the objectors consent the Secretary of State may decide to deal with matter by way of written representations.
9. Notice of confirmation of the Order to be given (including those persons having an interest in the land);
10. The Order may be challenged on an application made to the High Court within a period of six weeks from the date of publication of the notice of confirmation of the Order.
11. Notice to Treat to be served on all persons having an interest in the land at which time the Council may take possession of the land after giving notice of entry to the owners lessees and occupiers of the land.
12. All those having an interest in the land will be compensated for the loss of their land. The rules of compensation are complex but as a general rule, a person should not be worse off as a result of the compulsory purchase.
13. If the amount of compensation cannot be agreed between the parties, the Lands Tribunal will determine the compensation.