CPO; It could happen to you?

Is the case below a 'one off' or merely a high profile example of what happens regularly elsewhere?

According to an article in the Scotsman:

"Four homeowners living on the fringe of the Menie Estate have been left facing the prospect of compulsory purchase orders being used to buy their houses after a decision by Aberdeenshire councillors to include their land in a revised masterplan of the huge Trump development near Balmedie."

The article ends:

COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDERS 'THE LAST RESORT'

THE decision was taken on planning grounds, setting aside the question of land ownership

The Trump Organisation wants to negotiate agreements with the four homeowners and insists an application for Aberdeenshire Council to use compulsory purchase order powers would be the last resort. Councillor Martin Ford has tabled a motion for the council meeting on 1 October, opposing the use of CPOs to "force Aberdeenshire residents from their own homes on or adjacent to the Menie estate".

A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: "We would expect further discussions with the Trump Organisation to discuss progress made before any decision would be taken to put the issue (of CPOs] to full council."

SO could the Local Authority justify the use of a CPO in the wider public interest? The powers, so APTSec understands are with the Local Authority here.

How are the residents coping?

According to their web site, 'Tripping Up Trump' is a fresh energised movement standing up for the people and environment threatened by Donald Trump’s development in Aberdeenshire, They are calling for support for their movement on Wednesday 01 Oct 2009:

"We need everyone to show their support and congregate outside the AECC conference centre in Aberdeen in support of the families."

They also have a petition.

You can view the 'Tripping Up Trump' site via the link here

APTSec is having trouble locating an article on the Architecture Scotland pages, which was found via a google search:

'Hoskins distances himself from Trump CPOs'

To see conceptual visions of the plans prepared by Mr Hoskins the architect click here