The Planning Inspectorate- Wales

Certificates of Appropriate Alternative Development

Land owners can, when their land is being compulsorily purchased for development, apply for compensation. They can apply for compensation equal to the value of their land had they been able to sell it on the open market.

To help with the valuation process the landowner can apply to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) for a Certificate of Appropriate Alternative Development. This certificate states what, in the LPA's opinion, would have been granted planning permission if the land was not being compulsorily acquired.

Acquiring Authorities such as LPA's, Government Departments and Statutory undertakers can also apply. The Acquiring authority is the perspective purchaser and can apply for a certificate of appropriate alternative development in order to find out the actual value of the land.

The certificate procedure in part III of the Land Compensation Act 1961 provides valuers and Land Tribunals with guidance on the development value of land is being acquired by an authority with compulsory purchase powers.

The acquiring authority or the landowner can appeal to the National Assembly for Wales if they are unhappy with the certificate (or if the LPA fail to issue one within the deadline). This is known as a Land Compensation Appeal.

The links below offer guidance on the considerations relevant to applications under Section 17 and on appeals under section 18 of the Act.

View the Applications under Section 17 and Appeals under Section 18 Land Compensation Act 1961 Guidance notes in HTML

Download the Applications under Section 17 and Appeals under Section 18 Land Compensation Act 1961 Guidance Notes in 26kb

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