Planning minister Sir Paul Beresford has published the Interdepartmental Working Group’s discussion paper on generalised blight.
The paper, which covers the whole of Great Britain, seeks views on whether any practical changes can be made to the existing arrangements for compulsory purchase orders and compensation.
The current problem is there is no legal recognition or definition of “generalised blight”. But its effects are usually seen in falling property values in areas likely to be affected by proposed major infrastructure developments.
One of the options under consideration is streamlining the planning process. This would reduce the uncertainty that arises during the time lag between first proposing new development and confirming that it will go ahead. There have also been calls for compensation to be paid out to people whose property has suffered from a fall in value during this period of uncertainty.
PA News (Parliament) 06/06/96
