What is a Public Inquiry?

When an acquiring authority makes a compulsory purchase order (CPO), the land owner or affected part has a minimum of three weeks (sometimes more) to object to the making of the order. If an objection is received the Secretary of State will order a public inquiry in the CPO. The Public Inquiry is a forum, a bit like a court hearing, where an inspector will hear evidence from the acquiring authority as to why the CPO should be confirmed.

The inspector will also hear evidence from affected landowners and occupiers as to why the CPO should not go ahead. After the inquiry the inspector will then issue their report to the Secretary of State as to whether or not the compulsory purchase order should progress. From the date the CPO is made by the acquiring authority to the date the CPO is confirmed or refused should take around 12 months.