RCIS Supports UK Government Plans With New Infrastructure Paper And Compulsory Purchase Order Guidance

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a new edition of its compulsory purchase (CPO) standard alongside an infrastructure policy paper to be briefed at the Labour Party Conference. The latest version of the CPO standard, titled '‘Surveyors advising in respect of compulsory purchase and statutory compensation 2nd edition', updates the standard first published in 2017 and makes several crucial additions. It is being released alongside a new infrastructure paper, which provides significant thought leadership for improving the UK’s planning system, supporting building projects, and overcoming skills shortages in the sector.

This new edition of the CPO standard is particularly significant for RICS members, many of whom are CPO specialists. As the UK Government sets clear and ambitious housebuilding targets, the role of CPOs in development becomes even more crucial. RICS members provide essential advice and act on behalf of acquiring authorities and claimants. The updated standard is mandatory for those members advising on this area of practice.

The CPO guidance sets out 21 mandatory professional behaviour and competence expectations of RICS members to ensure that all members adhere to best practice. Among other refinements and updates, this new second edition of the standard clarifies the link between this area of practice and the need for all those undertaking any valuation-related work to adhere to RICS valuation standards, known as the Red Book.

Meanwhile, RICS is launching its new infrastructure paper at a policy roundtable at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool this week, followed by a session for Conservative Party Conference attendees at the RICS office in Birmingham the following week. The paper, titled ‘The Future of UK Major Infrastructure Projects’ provides a suite of policy solutions which aid the development of building projects and reforms the planning system.

I look forward to leading the roundtable session, briefing key members of the government’s policy team on our infrastructure paper at the coming Labour Party Conference. The paper offers a suite of crucial reforms which support the government’s plans for housebuilding, improve efficiency in the planning system, and invigorate skills and education in the built environment. RICS’ specialist professional members provide important expertise necessary for achieving these goals, and this broad and thorough range of policies is a testament to their significant knowledge and experience.

Fiona Mannix, RICS Senior Specialist for Land and Resources, said:

"The new edition of RICS' standard for compulsory purchase-related work is timely as the UK government sets out its plans for the built environment over the next five years. The refinements within this new edition of the standard will prove vital for those advising and acting on behalf of both acquiring authorities and claimants, ensuring best practice is adhered to by all RICS members advising in this complex and important area of practice, and ensure government targets for the built environment are met.”


The new CPO standard may be downloaded here.

The infrastructure paper ca be downloaded here.