Part 7: Compulsory Purchase Etc Right to enter and survey land Section 172: Right to enter and survey land
Any acquiring authority which is considering using its compulsory purchase powers may need to enter the land to survey and value it before it decides to make a compulsory purchase order. For example, the authority may need to find out if there are any underground structures or contaminated land which might hamper a proposed scheme. Only some acquiring authorities (such as local authorities, urban development corporations, and the Homes and Communities Agency) have had the power to enter land in such circumstances.
	Sections 172 to 179 introduce a new general power of entry for survey and valuation purposes which is available to all acquiring authorities in connection with a proposal to acquire land. Section 172 provides that an acquiring authority may authorise a person to enter and survey land in connection with a proposal to acquire land. An authorisation may relate to the land which is the subject of the proposal or to other land.
	The authorised person may not use force unless this is authorised by a warrant.