Landowners can, when their land is being compulsorily purchased for development, apply for compensation. They can apply for compensation equal to the value of their land had they been able to sell it on the open market.

To help with the valuation process the landowner can apply to the Local Planning Authority for a Certificate of appropriate alternative development. This certificate states what, in the LPA’s opinion, would have been granted planning permission if the land was not being compulsorily acquired.

Acquiring Authorities such as LPA’s, Government Departments and Statutory Undertakers can also apply. The acquiring authority is the prospective purchaser and can apply for a certificate of appropriate alternative development in order to find out the actual value of the land.

The acquiring authority or the landowner can appeal to the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government if they are unhappy with the certificate (or the LPA fail to issue one within the deadline). This is known as a Land Compensation appeal.

View the Applications under Section 17 and appeals under Section 18 Land Compensation Act 1961 Guidance Notes in HTML

Download the Applications under Section 17 and appeals under Section 18 Land Compensation Act 1961 Guidance Notes in PDF 25kb

Circular 02/03: Compulsory Purchase Orders - Appendix N: Land Compensation Act 1961 Certificates of appropriate alternative development

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