Following negotiations with the landowner, terms were agreed for an option agreement enabling the council to acquire the land on confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and signing of the General Vesting Declaration or earlier if required.

There are four landowners who have incurred professional agents and solicitors fees upfront in negotiations with the council relating to these option agreements. As a result there is a legitimate expectation that the council will pay the costs incurred, irrespective of the decision of the 9th August 2019 to pause and review the scheme.

The record of officer decision dated 20 September 2019 took into account all invoices that the council had received in anticipation of completing the option agreements in April 2019. Landowners have incurred legitimate further fees in taking professional advice between April and the decision taken by the new cabinet member for infrastructure and transport on the 9th August 2019. The council were not aware of these at the time of taking the decision of the 20 September 2019.

The costs amount to £2,500 plus VAT and includes disbursements.