Local authority powers relating to land

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PLA power to acquire land by agreement

A PLA is, for these purposes, a council elected for a non-metropolitan county, a district or a London borough, and in relation to Wales, means a county or county borough.

A PLA may acquire as purchaser or lessee any land or interest in land (easement or right in, to or over land) inside or outside of its area by agreement:

  1. •

    for any of its functions under the  Local Government Act 1972 (LGA 1972) or any other enactment, or

  2. •

     or for the benefit, improvement or development of its area

This is the case even where the land is not immediately required for the purpose above in which case until it is required for the purposes for which it was acquired, the land may be used for the purposes of any of the council's functions, see: Acquisition by principal councils of land by agreement: Halsbury’s Laws of England (69A) 603.

PLA power to compulsorily acquire land and rights over land

CPO of land

A PLA may for any purposes for

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Latest Local Government News

Local Government weekly highlights—11 September 2025

This week's edition of Local Government weekly highlights includes: case analysis of R (AA) v Waltham Forest LBC, which sets out that judicial review is correct route to challenge section 189A plans under HA 1996; Chidswell Action Group v Kirklees Council, in which the court quashed planning permission where the section 106 agreement was not published pre-decision and Wild Justice v Pembrokeshire Coast NPA, in which the court quashed planning permission due to the authority's failure to publish a key ecological report. Case reports include R (AN) v Barking and Dagenham LBC, in which the court found the housing assessment breached statutory duties under HA 1996, ChA 2004 and EqA 2010; R (Andrew Rickards) v East Hertfordshire DC, in which the court allowed a judicial review challenge of the LA's prior grant of approval to erect Green Belt polytunnels; R (Anaesthetists United Ltd) v GMC, in which the court rejected a judicial review application questioning whether GMC acted lawfully in implementing regulatory powers under Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024 and A Local Authority v A Mother and others, in which the court rejected the LA care order applications in finding the parents' travel plans did not constitute unreasonable parenting. It also includes Ofsted's announcement of major changes to education inspection frameworks, the Education Committee's launch of an inquiry into early years sector reforms and further updates on Social housing, Healthcare, Public procurement, Education, Governance, Social care and Environmental law and climate change.

DfE publishes September 2025 update on education sector funding and procurement

The Department for Education (DfE) has published its September 2025 update covering funding, assurance and resource management for academics, local authorities and further education providers in England. Key updates include a new digital form for Care to Learn and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund applications, confirmation that no further 16 to 19 business cases will be accepted for the 2025–26 academic year, and the introduction of bursaries for school business professionals. Additional measures include a Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply procurement fundamentals programme roll-out and new automation initiatives for accounts returns. The update also confirms the 16 to 19 high value course premium for construction will continue for academic year 2026–27.

UK regulators publish guidance for joint inspections on family child abuse cases

Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and HM Inspectorate of Probation have published guidance for joint targeted area inspections focusing on child sexual abuse in family environments. From autumn 2025, the inspections will assess how local police, children’s social care, probation services and health services collaborate to protect at-risk children and support victims. The inspections will also evaluate co-operation with education providers and the voluntary sector organisations in identifying and responding to abuse cases.

Prior approval quashed for failure to address heritage and woodland impacts (Andrew Rickards v East Hertfordshire DC)

Planning analysis: In Andrew Rickards v East Hertfordshire DC, the court held that a GPDO Part 6 prior approval was unlawful because the officer’s report failed to address impacts on designated assets, specifically ancient woodland and a Grade II listed building, and the approval was therefore quashed.

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