Events > Current Events
CPO Talking Heads: September 2026
Access All Areas? The High Court Clarifies Survey Powers
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When: Monday 28th September 2026 | Location: Virtual Monthly Discussion | Timings: Registration: 12.55, Start: 13.00; Close: 14.00 | |
CPD Hours: 1 Hours | Price: Free for CPA Members (£60 + VAT for Non Members) | ||
This event runs as an informal discussion with a small panel of leading and informed practitioners extracting the nuances from this months topic "Access All Areas? The High Court Clarifies Survey Powers". It will discuss practical issues that arise, with participants in the meeting being encouraged to listen, join in, ask questions and share comments.
Access to land for environmental and engineering surveys is an essential part of land assembly whether using compulsory purchase or DCO powers - but what constitutes effective notice, how much detail must it contain and how long can it remain valid?
Following the judicial review concerning Green GEN Cymru’s proposed electricity network projects, the High Court has provided the first detailed consideration of survey access powers under section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.
The panel will consider the judgment from the perspectives of acquiring authorities, landowners and their professional advisers, and identify the practical lessons for anyone serving, receiving or challenging statutory survey notices.
This event will be of interest to:
- Acquiring Authorities and Infrastructure Promoters
- Claimant Surveyors and Landowner Advisers
- Compulsory Purchase Practitioners
- Utilities and Energy Developers
- Local Authorities and Government Bodies
- Planning and Infrastructure Lawyers
- Landowners, Farmers and Rural Estate Managers
- Environmental, Ecological and Engineering Survey Teams
- Wayleave, Land Referencing and Access Officers
Programme
- Our talking heads will examine what the judgment means in practice, including:
- Identifying and Serving every Owner and Occupier
- Giving at least 14 Days’ Notice Without Specifying an Exact Entry Date
- Defining the Proposed Surveys with Reasonable and Practicable Precision
- Setting a Clear Lifespan for Notices
- Service by First-Class Post
- Understanding Activities Already Taking Place on the Land
- Human Rights, Proportionality and the Use of Less Intrusive Means when Exercising Powers of Entry
- Properly Authorising and Evidencing the Authority of those Entering the Land
Speakers:
Hugh Flanagan, Barrister, Francis Taylor Building
Paul Astbury BSc (Hons) FRICS, Partner, Head of Compulsory Purchase, Carter Jonas LLP
Mark Burton, Policy Adviser – Planning and Infrastructure, CLA Cymru
Jonathan Leary, Managing Senior Associate, Pinsent Masons