{"id":3350,"date":"2026-02-19T10:29:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T10:29:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/planning-architecture\/?p=3350"},"modified":"2026-02-19T10:29:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T10:29:49","slug":"compulsory-purchase-reform-post-consultation-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/planning-architecture\/2026\/02\/19\/compulsory-purchase-reform-post-consultation-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Compulsory Purchase Reform: post-consultation update"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/h3>\n

Between September and December 2025, the Scottish Government consulted on a comprehensive package of proposals<\/a> to reform and modernise Scotland\u2019s compulsory purchase system. The consultation was part of our ongoing reform programme, the timescales and objectives of which were outlined in a previous blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this blog we provide a brief update following the end of the consultation exercise and set out next steps ahead of the May 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. Although our analysis is still ongoing \u2013 and a more detailed summary of the responses will be published in due course \u2013 it is clear that there is widespread stakeholder backing for much of what we consulted on. Many of the proposals attracted overwhelming support and this blog offers an initial, high level overview of the feedback received.<\/p>\n

In the coming months, we will complete our analysis of the responses and commission research on CPO compensation to further bolster our evidence base. These short-term actions will support additional policy development and help ensure the programme is in a position to move forward in the next Parliament, if compulsory purchase reform is considered a priority by the next Government.<\/p>\n

The context<\/h3>\n

Compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) are a powerful tool which can help to deliver a wide variety of projects \u2013 both large and small \u2013 that would not otherwise come forward. This ranges from bringing empty or derelict properties back into use through to the delivery of major transport and energy infrastructure. In doing so, CPOs can support real change for Scotland\u2019s people and places.<\/p>\n

However, the consultation paper acknowledged that this potential is not currently being realised \u2013 and that many public bodies rarely, if ever, make use of the powers at their disposal. The existing system is based on legislation which is almost 200 years old, and is often seen as complex, opaque, costly and slow.<\/p>\n

The Scottish Government wants to change this. The reforms proposed in the consultation are intended to provide the basis for a more effective, transparent and modern system: one which is simpler, swifter and fairer \u2013 and one which authorities make proactive and positive use of.<\/p>\n

The consultation marked an important step towards realising these ambitions, and is intended to pave the way for a bill repealing existing primary legislation and replacing it with a brand new compulsory purchase statute for Scotland. The proposals were informed by more than a year of detailed policy development and stakeholder engagement, including with a practitioner advisory group<\/a> co-chaired by Roseanna Cunningham and the Chief Planner.<\/p>\n

The response<\/h3>\n

A total of 107 responses were received. This comprised 28 responses from individuals and 79 responses from organisations. Where respondents gave their permission, these have been published on the Citizen Space consultation hub<\/a>. We are very grateful to all those who responded.<\/p>\n

The consultation paper was a lengthy document, running to over 100 pages and containing more than 100 questions. This reflects the complexity of the subject matter and the comprehensive nature of the proposals. Furthermore, the consultation also contained questions on the separate issue of compulsory sale and lease orders (see below). It will therefore take some time to collate and fully analyse all of the feedback we received. The paragraphs and bullet points below provide an initial, quantitative snapshot; a more detailed summary of the consultation responses will be published in the coming months.<\/p>\n

Responses came from a wide range of stakeholders, reflected a wide range of interests and encompassed a wide range of professional disciplines \u2013 including lawyers, surveyors, housing professionals, architects and planners. Among others, we heard from local authorities, infrastructure providers, housing developers, landowners, agricultural bodies as well as those with an interest in empty homes, land reform, active travel and heritage.<\/p>\n

The headlines<\/h3>\n

Despite the breadth of stakeholder interest, there appears to be a degree of consensus around the need to reform Scotland\u2019s compulsory purchase system and widespread support for the proposed direction of travel. For example, among those who responded to the relevant questions, there was:<\/p>\n