Carter Jonas has recently provided preliminary strategic advice to a national hotel operator who is impacted by the proposed Gatwick Airport Northern Runway Development Consent Order (DCO).

The DCO is currently in early stages, with the application to be submitted later in 2023. According to the most recent plans for the project, part of the leasehold interest is to be acquired on a temporary basis, for use as a construction compound. 

Our instruction was to assess the likely risk of the proposed scheme to our client’s interest, subsequently outlining options available to facilitate its management and mitigate against its impact. 

Further to a collation of relevant information, we provided an overview of the scheme, likely realistic timescales of DCO consent and outlined the potential challenges the proposed land take could have on their interest and business. 

We additionally outlined the various solutions to the client which included:

• Opposing the scheme and seeking for the subject land to be removed from the DCO, further elaborating on the strict procedural timescales associated with the written representation process
• Proactively engaging with the acquiring authority with the view of reaching an early agreement, or  
• Waiting for DCO consent and subsequent temporary acquisition and associated compensation claim

We provided a strategic conclusion and next steps in alignment with our instruction and look forward to a continued working relationship to assist in the management of the potential acquisition.