On the 15th of January 2019, National Grid Viking Link Ltd (NGVL) made The National Grid Viking Link Limited (Viking Link Interconnector) Compulsory Purchase Order 2019 (CPO) to enable it to compulsorily acquire the land and rights necessary to install and operate the UK onshore infrastructure.
On the 6th of February 2020 the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed the CPO with minor modifications. A copy of the confirmed CPO, and the Maps which show the land included in it, are available to view here:
Next Steps
The compulsory purchase powers in the CPO have been available for NGVL to exercise since the 19th of February 2020 (the date on which notice of confirmation of the CPO was served). They expire on 18 February 2023.
NGVL’s firm preference has always been to acquire the land and rights it needs for the Viking Link project by voluntary agreement and the majority of the rights needed to construct, operate and maintain the Viking Link project have been secured by voluntary agreements entered into with landowners. However, there are a few instances in which it has become necessary for NGVL to exercise its compulsory purchase powers by executing a General Vesting Declaration (GVD) to acquire these rights. There are, for example, a number of plots/parts of plots of land needed for the project and included in the CPO which comprise drains and tracks that are not registered at the Land Registry and which it is not possible to deduce title to (i.e. confirm ownership of). As a result, NGVL is unable to enter into voluntary agreements in respect of these plots.
GVD (No 2) was executed on 29 October 2020 and may be viewed electronically here:
GVD Nos 3 to 9 were executed on 16 February 2023 and are available to view here:
GVD 3 dated 16th February 2023
GVD 4 dated 16th February 2023
GVD 5 dated 16th February 2023
GVD 6 dated 16th February 2023
GVD 7 dated 16th February 2023
GVD 8 dated 16th February 2023
GVD 9 dated 16th February 2023
Making a claim
If you have an interest in the land included in a GVD you may be entitled to receive compensation. Below is a copy of the MHCLG Model Claim Form which asks for information about your land/interest in land and about any potential claim that you may have. If you have an interest in the land included in the GVD it is recommended that you fill in the claim form and return it by post to: Dalcour Maclaren, Unit 2, Trident Business Village, Kilverstone, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2RL or by e-mail to: [email protected].
How to find more information about CPO
Further detail on the compulsory purchase process can be found in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Guidance on Compulsory Purchase Process and The Crichel Down Rules (July 2019) which are available to view and download for free online by clicking here.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has also produced booklets and guidance on how the compulsory purchase process works entitled "Compulsory Purchase and Compensation" listed below:
- Booklet No. 1 - Compulsory Purchase Procedure.
- Booklet No. 2 - Compensation to Business Owners and Occupiers.
- Booklet No. 3 - Compensation to Agricultural Owners and Occupiers.
- Booklet No. 4 - Compensation for Residential Owners and Occupiers.
- Booklet No. 5 - Reducing the Adverse Effects of Public Development: Mitigation Works.
The booklets are available to view and download for free online by clicking here.
Contacting the team
If you would more information about the CPO or the Project please contact Dalcour Maclaren by telephone on 03334 560 110 (phone lines are operational between 9.00am and 5:30pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays) and ask for a member of the NGVL project team or email us at [email protected].