compulsory purchase

British  

noun

1. purchase of a house or other property by a local authority or government department for public use or to make way for development, regardless of whether or not the owner wishes to sell

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Example Sentences

But last year, the Local Government Association said councils had highlighted that compulsory purchase orders require "considerable resources to be of any significant use in facilitating town centre regeneration".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The Welsh government offered to compulsory purchase the house, in the Cefn Coed area of Merthyr, but John said he declined because of sentimental reasons.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2025

They said they were subject to compulsory purchase orders but had not yet received any money.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2023

There will be almost £6m to redevelop brownfield land for homes, £3m to improve energy efficiency and renewable generation in homes, and greater compulsory purchase powers.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2022

School boards were empowered not only to acquire sites for schools under powers of compulsory purchase, but also to take transfers of existing voluntary schools from their managers.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various