Compulsory purchase order newspaper notices
CPO notices must be published in a local newspaper circulating in the area of the land. Enter your postcode to see your matched local newspaper and price.
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The legal requirement
Statutory requirement (ALA 1981 s.11(1)): The acquiring authority must publish notice of the compulsory purchase order in a local newspaper circulating in the area of the land in two successive weeks (s.11(1)(a)).
The authority must also publish a notice on its own website for at least 21 days, ending on the day specified for objections (s.11(1)(b)).
Section 15 of the same Act applies to notices of confirmation. The notice must describe the land, state the effect of the order, specify the period for objections, and indicate where the order and map may be inspected.
Side Roads Orders under the Highways Act 1980 follow a separate Schedule 1 procedure: at least one local-newspaper notice and a London Gazette notice.
Failure to comply with the publication requirements can render the CPO vulnerable to legal challenge, making correct and timely advertisement essential.
Key points
- Making stage (s.11): two successive weeks in a local newspaper (ALA 1981 s.11(1)(a)) plus 21+ days on the authority's website (s.11(1)(b))
- Confirmation stage (s.15): single newspaper insertion only — one week, not two
- Side Roads Orders: local newspaper plus London Gazette publication (HA 1980 Schedule 1 paras 1-2)
- s.19 special-land certificate: single insertion only (ALA 1981 s.19 — open-space / special land)
- CPO sub-types mapped — making, confirmation, GVD, side-roads order, s.19 certificate, and planning-purposes making and confirmation; side-roads orders are handled via the Gazette manually
- Minimum 21-day objection period after notice of making (ALA 1981 s.11(1)(b))
- Publication certificate provides evidence of compliance
All 7 CPO sub-types
Select the correct sub-type when placing your order. The system generates the appropriate statutory notice text and applies the right newspaper-publication cadence; side-roads orders are routed manually until London Gazette filing is automated.
- Notice of Making
Published at the making stage when the acquiring authority first makes the CPO. Two successive weeks in a local newspaper (plus 21 + days on the authority's website).
Statute: Acquisition of Land Act 1981 s.11
- Notice of Confirmation
Published once the Secretary of State (or the acquiring authority itself if unopposed) confirms the order. Single insertion — one week, not two.
Statute: Acquisition of Land Act 1981 s.15
- General Vesting Declaration (GVD)
Preliminary notice that the authority intends to vest the land. Invites persons with interests in the land to come forward before the vesting date. Single insertion.
Statute: Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 s.3
- Side Roads Order
Made alongside a trunk-road or special-road CPO to deal with the improvement, stopping-up or diversion of side roads affected by the scheme. Local newspaper plus London Gazette publication is required under HA 1980 Schedule 1 paragraphs 1 and 2. Automated checkout is paused for this sub-type until Gazette filing is supported.
Statute: Highways Act 1980 s.14 + Schedule 1
- s.19 Special-Land Certificate
Certificate issued by the Secretary of State authorising acquisition of open-space or other special land where a CPO would not ordinarily be confirmed. Single insertion (not two successive weeks — s.19 is distinct from s.11).
Statute: Acquisition of Land Act 1981 s.19
- Planning Purposes — Notice of Making
CPO made under the local-authority planning-purposes power (e.g. for regeneration or development). The making notice is publicised under ALA 1981 s.11. Two successive weeks in a local newspaper.
Statute: Town and Country Planning Act 1990 s.226 + ALA 1981 s.11
- Planning Purposes — Notice of Confirmation
Confirmation notice for a planning-purposes CPO once the Secretary of State has confirmed the order. Single insertion — publicised under ALA 1981 s.15 (same single-week cadence as a standard confirmation notice).
Statute: TCPA 1990 s.226 + ALA 1981 s.15
What you receive
Everything you need to demonstrate compliance, delivered to your portal.
Proof PDF
A typeset proof of your notice for approval before publication.
Publication certificate
Confirming publication date, newspaper name, and notice content.
VAT invoice
Available in your portal immediately after payment.
Pricing
Price depends on notice size and your local newspaper's rate. Enter your postcode for an estimate.
Platform fee: £35 + VAT. Newspaper rate confirmed at order.
Frequently asked questions
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