High Court Issues First Comprehensive Ruling on Statutory Survey Powers Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 - FTB

A webinar examining the recent High Court judgment in Barstow and Others v Green Generation Energy Networks Cymru Ltd [2026] EWHC 1698 (Admin). Speakers are Emyr Jones, Rebecca Clutten, Caroline Daly and Claire Nevin, all barristers practising from Francis Taylor Building.

The case is the most comprehensive judicial consideration to date of Part 7 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 which confers on acquiring authorities the right to enter and survey land prior to making a compulsory purchase order.

This judgment is the first to examine the regime in the round, including: who must be given notice and how; whether notice runs with the land; the level of detail required in a notice; the meaning of "reasonable time" for entry; human rights considerations; and data protection.Emyr Jones and Claire Nevin, who acted for the parties in the litigation, will summarise the judgment. Caroline Daly (Chair) and Rebecca Clutten will then discuss the wider implications for developers, acquiring authorities, landowners and advisers involved in projects requiring statutory access for surveys.