Planning Minister Richard Caborn has released the final report drawn up by the Working Group on Blight for discussion. A draft version of their most radical recommendation – the setting up of a guarantee and compensation scheme intended to cover new purchases – has also been published.
The introduction of the proposed Property Purchase Guarantee and Compensation Scheme would need major changes to legislation. In the interim Caborn was keen to stress that the recommendation “which is born of a desire to reduce or eliminate generalised blight, does not undermine the fundamentals of the existing blight and compensation arrangements.”
The Interdepartmental Working Group was set up under the previous government to review the scope, cause and effects of blight arising during the various stages of major infrastructure projects. It also considered whether any practical changes could be made to the existing arrangements for property purchase and compensation.
- Caborn also announced the publication of research down by City University Business School into the operation of compulsory purchase order procedures.
EGi News 18/12/97
