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But he added: "Compulsory purchase shouldn't be used to enable the development of valued countryside and local green spaces."

A provision added to the legislation in 2020 stated "abandoned, neglected or detrimental" land can be bought by a community organisation via compulsory purchase if it is judged to be in the "public interest" for it to do so.

Instead, the state could compulsory purchase a London hotel and give MPs a room there - a truck stop for parliamentarians, if you will.

"We have also identified a limited number of locations and properties where the compulsory purchase process is well advanced and needs to continue until it's completed," the spokesperson added.

South Gloucestershire Council cabinet also approved the use of compulsory purchase orders to secure the necessary land, which had a variety of owners and could not be acquired through negotiation.