8:00am Monday 31st October 2005
By Guardian-series
THE first compulsory purchase orders (CPO) have been issued to pave the way for Olympic development.
A total of 350 businesses and households stretching from Hackney, through Stratford and on to West Ham have received the orders in preparation for work to bury 50 electricity pylons beneath the ground.
The London Development Agency (LDA) says 300 recipients will not be directly affected by the work, but permission needs to be sought to bore beneath landowners' properties and CPOs ensure objectors can be forced to comply.
The remainder will have to move as they are located on land earmarked for construction, maintenance and ventilation shafts.
The LDA says that although CPOs have been issued, it would prefer to acquire the land through private negotiation.
Some businesses in Marshgate Lane, which say they have not received a fair offer for their land by the LDA, are among those who will have to make way for tunnel construction work.
It is understood any objections to the CPOs will have to be raised by November 15. A planning inspector will then decide whether there needs to be a public inquiry on the issue.
Work on LDA-owned land is expected to start at the end of the month and will be completed by the summer 2008.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk