Local Government

Background

A council, engaged in a major new office development, needs to acquire part of a privately owned car park to secure access. Facing the loss of control over his site and the frustration of his own redevelopment plans, the car park owner refuses to co-operate and the council faces the prospect of a lengthy and expensive compulsory purchase battle.

Outcome

At mediation, separate arrangements are agreed for a temporary construction access, for a permanent public right of way to be relocated on redevelopment and for an appropriate payment to secure these. The settlement allows the redevelopment to proceed.