Acting for Manchester Airport plc and Manchester City Council, Simon Cook, was responsible for the acquisition of all land and property for the then proposed 2nd Runway. The work involved the acquisition of listed houses, farms, offices and land within a limited period of time within the constraints of an agreed budget figure of £15million.
The land had to be acquired within a defined time period by agreement before the CPO. Following the CPO we embarked on further acquisitions of those properties which could not be acquired by agreement. Acquisitions involved a range of issues and significant local opposition due to the impact of the scheme on the environment and historic buildings. The work provided a real understanding of the conflicts and pressures that emerge between an expanding Airport and affected owners impacted by the proposals. Similar conflicts are being experienced in the ongoing debate concerning the expansion of Heathrow Airport.