In compulsory acquisition cases where part of land is retained, the 'after' valuation must reflect the actual physical consequences of the acquisition (including loss of access) even where the 'before' valuation was based on an underlying zoning that assumed adequate access. The two valuations are not required to proceed on identical assumptions where the acquisition itself has destroyed a quality (such as road frontage) that underpinned the 'before' value. Where comparable sales evidence is directly applicable, no discount for risk of the acquiring authority disagreeing with the underlying zoning is required. The discretion to remit under s 57(2) of the Land and Environment Court Act 1979 should only be exercised where the error could possibly produce a different result.
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