The Proposed CPO on the Lesnes Estate, Bexley — What Residents Need to Know and How to Maximise Compensation

A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is one of the most significant actions a public body can take, and hearing that a proposed CPO may affect your home or investment is understandably unsettling. With the Lesnes Estate in Bexley now entering the early stages of a potential compulsory purchase process, many owners and occupiers are asking the same questions:

What does this mean for me? What am I entitled to? Can I object? And how do I make sure I’m not financially disadvantaged?

At Olden Property, we specialise in advising residents, landlords and businesses affected by CPOs across London and the South East.

Our role is simple:
to ensure you receive the maximum possible compensation, and to protect your rights throughout the process.

What a Proposed CPO Means for Residents

A proposed CPO means:

• The authority intends to acquire properties, but the CPO is not yet confirmed

• You still have rights to raise objections

• You can challenge the basis of the acquisition

• You are entitled to independent professional advice

• If the CPO is eventually confirmed, the acquiring authority must pay statutory compensation

At this stage, nothing is final — but this is the moment when residents should take early advice, especially if objecting is being considered.

Your Compensation Rights (If the CPO Is Confirmed)

Even in the proposed stage, it’s essential to understand your full entitlement in case the scheme proceeds. Compensation typically includes:

1. Market Value (on an unblighted basis)

You must receive the full market value of your property as if the CPO wasn’t happening.

2. Disturbance Compensation

Covering removal costs, fees, temporary accommodation, reconnecting utilities, and more.

3. Home Loss Payment

10% of market value (up to statutory caps) for owner-occupiers.

4. Basic Loss Payment / Occupier’s Loss Payment

Available to landlords and non-resident owners.

5. Business Compensation

If you trade from the estate, you may be entitled to claim for profit loss, relocation costs, fixtures, redundancy liabilities and disruption.

Olden Property prepares full compensation schedules to ensure no entitlement is missed.

How to Object to the Proposed CPO (and Potentially Stop It)

Residents often don’t realise they have the right to oppose a CPO — and objections can be powerful, especially when organised early.

Here’s how the objection process works:

1. Submit a Formal Objection During the Statutory Notice Period

Once the acquiring authority publishes the draft CPO, affected parties have the right to lodge a formal objection with the Secretary of State.

Valid grounds of objection include:

• The scheme is not in the public interest

• The authority has not demonstrated a compelling case in the public interest

• Alternatives exist that would avoid compulsory purchase

• The extent of land required is excessive

• Consultation has been inadequate

• Impact on the community is disproportionate

Olden Property can work with your solicitor to prepare an evidence-backed objection based on valuation, viability, site impacts and alternatives.

2. Your Objection May Trigger a Public Inquiry

If objections are maintained, the matter is referred to an independent Inspector who holds a public inquiry.
Here, residents can:

• Present evidence

• Raise concerns

• Highlight valuation or compensation weaknesses

• Challenge whether the scheme justifies compulsory purchase

Professional representation is strongly recommended.

3. Alternative Approaches

Even if the CPO proceeds, you may be able to:

• Negotiate voluntary acquisition outside of the CPO

• Challenge the valuation basis

• Secure higher compensation by evidencing losses

• Delay possession until compensation is agreed

• Make separate disturbance, severance or injurious affection claims

Olden Property advises on all of these routes.

Why Early Advice Is Crucial

In the proposed CPO stage, your actions can influence:

• Whether the CPO proceeds

• Whether the extent of acquisition changes

• How much compensation you eventually receive

• How smoothly negotiations run

• Whether you are strategically positioned for objection

Many residents wait too long — and risk losing influence and leverage.

At Olden Property, we help clients:

• Understand their rights

• Prepare objection evidence

• Assess the impact on value

• Prepare compensation claims

• Negotiate with the acquiring authority

• Protect their long-term financial position

How Olden Property Can Help Lesnes Estate Residents

We specialise in CPO advisory across London and the South East and are already assisting affected owners. Our services include:

• Full unblighted valuation reports

• Detailed compensation claims

• Negotiation with the acquiring authority

• Advice on objections and alternatives

• Guidance through the entire CPO process

• Support for landlords, investors and businesses

And our fees are typically paid by the acquiring authority where statutory provisions apply.

If You’re on the Lesnes Estate, Get in Touch

You do not need to navigate the proposed CPO alone and early expert advice genuinely increases compensation outcomes.

info@oldenproperty.com