Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Key definition

Crichel Down Rules definition

What does Crichel Down Rules mean? Government policy under which public bodies, primarily UK central government departments and many of their agencies, must generally offer back surplus land to the former owner (or successors in title) if it was acquired by compulsory purchase (CPO) or under the threat of compulsion and is no longer needed. The offer is typically made at current market value before any open‑market disposal. The Crichel Down Rules are non‑statutory administrative guidance (not defined in legislation or case law). They do not create a legal right to reacquire, and there are recognised exceptions, including where the land’s character has materially changed, where...

Crichel Down Rules: offer-back of surplus compulsorily acquired land—scope, exceptions, procedure and judicial review (England and Wales)

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Practice notes

Acquiring authorities frequently dispose of land obtained through compulsory purchase. This often follows their role in assembling the interests required to enable a scheme, after which, once the compulsory purchase order (CPO) is implemented, the land is passed to a developer to deliver the project. Sometimes, however, land taken via a CPO later proves Surplus to requirements. In those circumstances, an acquiring authority may wish to, or be obliged to, dispose of the land.

The Crichel Down Rules require that, in certain situations, surplus government land acquired by, or under the threat of, compulsion is offered back to former owners, their successors, or to sitting tenants. The Rules are non‑statutory, although, as noted below, the courts expect compliance where they apply. In England, the Crichel Down Rules are set out in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government guidance on ‘’ (the English Rules). In Wales, the Crichel Down Rules are contained in the Welsh Government guidance ‘Compulsory Purchase in Wales and the Crichel Down Rules’ (the Welsh Rules). Collectively, the English and Welsh Rules are referred to as ‘the Rules’.

Importance of adhering...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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