This Chapter shall have effect as if—
(a) the bodies on whom a purchase notice may be served under section 137 included any National Park authority which is the local planning authority for the area in which the land is situated; and
(b) a National Park authority were a local authority for the purposes of this Act and the National Park for which it is the local planning authority were its area;
and the references in this Chapter and in section 288(10)(a) to a council and to a local authority shall be construed accordingly.
(1) In this Chapter—
“the relevant provisions” means—
(a) the provisions of Part IX, or
(b) in the case of statutory undertakers, any statutory provision (however expressed) under which they have power, or may be authorised, to purchase land compulsorily for the purposes of their undertaking; and
“statutory undertakers” includes electronic communications code operators and former PTOs.
(2) In the case of a purchase notice served by such a person as is mentioned in subsection (2)(b) of section 137, references in this Chapter to the owner of the land include references to that person unless the context otherwise requires.
(1) This Chapter shall have effect in relation to land falling within any paragraph of Schedule 13 (land affected by planning proposals of public authorities etc.); and in this Chapter such land is referred to as “blighted land”.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sections 161 and 162, an interest qualifies for protection under this Chapter if—
(a) it is an interest in a hereditament or part of a hereditament and on the relevant date it satisfies one of the conditions mentioned in subsection (3); or
(b) it is an interest in an agricultural unit or part of an agricultural unit and on the relevant date it is the interest of an owner-occupier of the unit;
and in this Chapter such an interest is referred to as “a qualifying interest”.
(3) The conditions mentioned in subsection (2)(a) are—
(a) that the annual value of the hereditament does not exceed such amount as may be prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph by an order made by the Secretary of State, and the interest is the interest of an owner-occupier of the hereditament; or
(b) that the interest is the interest of a resident owner-occupier of the hereditament.
(4) In this section “the relevant date”, in relation to an interest, means the date of service of a notice under section 150 in respect of it.
(5) In this Chapter “blight notice” means a notice served under section 150, 161 or 162.
(1) Where the whole or part of a hereditament or agricultural unit is comprised in blighted land and a person claims that—
(a) he is entitled to a qualifying interest in that hereditament or unit;
(b) he has made reasonable endeavours to sell that interest; or the land falls within paragraph 21, paragraph 22 (disregarding the notes) or paragraph 24 , paragraph 24 or paragraph 24ZA of Schedule 13 and (except in the case of land falling within paragraph 24(c) or 24ZA(c) of that Schedule) the powers of compulsory acquisition remain exercisable and
(c) in consequence of the fact that the hereditament or unit or a part of it was, or was likely to be, comprised in blighted land, he has been unable to sell that interest except at a price substantially lower than that for which it might reasonably have been expected to sell if no part of the hereditament or unit were, or were likely to be, comprised in such land,
he may serve on the appropriate authority a notice in the prescribed form requiring that authority to purchase that interest to the extent specified in, and otherwise in accordance with, this Chapter.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), subsection (1) shall apply in relation to an interest in part of a hereditament or unit as it applies in relation to an interest in the whole of a hereditament or unit.
(3) Subsection (2) shall not enable any person—
(a) if he is entitled to an interest in the whole of a hereditament or agricultural unit, to make any claim or serve any notice under this section in respect of his interest in part of a hereditament or unit; or
(b) if he is entitled to an interest only in part of a hereditament or agricultural unit, to make or serve any such claim or notice in respect of his interest in less than the whole of that part.
(4) In this Chapter—
(a) subject to section 161(1), “the claimant”, in relation to a blight notice, means the person who served that notice, and
(b) any reference to the interest of the claimant, in relation to a blight notice, is a reference to the interest which the notice requires the appropriate authority to purchase as mentioned in subsection (1).
(1) Where a blight notice has been served in respect of a hereditament or an agricultural unit, the appropriate authority may serve on the claimant a counter-notice in the prescribed form objecting to the notice.
(2) A counter-notice under subsection (1) may be served at any time before the end of the period of two months beginning with the date of service of the blight notice.
(3) Such a counter-notice shall specify the grounds on which the appropriate authority object to the blight notice (being one or more of the grounds specified in subsection (4) or, as relevant, in section 159(1), 161(5) or 162(5)).
(4) Subject to the following provisions of this Act, the grounds on which objection may be made in a counter-notice to a notice served under section 150 are—
(a) that no part of the hereditament or agricultural unit to which the notice relates is comprised in blighted land;
(b) that the appropriate authority (unless compelled to do so by virtue of this Chapter) do not propose to acquire any part of the hereditament, or in the case of an agricultural unit any part of the affected area, in the exercise of any relevant powers;
(c) that the appropriate authority propose in the exercise of relevant powers to acquire a part of the hereditament or, in the case of an agricultural unit, a part of the affected area specified in the counter-notice, but (unless compelled to do so by virtue of this Chapter) do not propose to acquire any other part of that hereditament or area in the exercise of any such powers;
(d) in the case of land falling within paragraph 1, 3 or 13 but not 14, 15 or 16 of Schedule 13, that the appropriate authority (unless compelled to do so by virtue of this Chapter) do not propose to acquire in the exercise of any relevant powers any part of the hereditament or, in the case of an agricultural unit, any part of the affected area during the period of 15 years from the date of the counter-notice or such longer period from that date as may be specified in the counter-notice;
(e) that, on the date of service of the notice under section 150, the claimant was not entitled to an interest in any part of the hereditament or agricultural unit to which the notice relates;
(f) that (for reasons specified in the counter-notice) the interest of the claimant is not a qualifying interest;
(g) that the conditions specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of section 150(1) are not fulfilled.
(5) Where the appropriate enactment confers power to acquire rights over land, subsection (4) shall have effect as if—
(a) in paragraph (b) after the word “acquire” there were inserted the words “ or to acquire any rights over ”;
(b) in paragraph (c) for the words “do not propose to acquire” there were substituted the words “ propose neither to acquire, nor to acquire any right over ”;
(c) in paragraph (d) after the words “affected area” there were inserted “ or to acquire any right over any part of it ”.
(6) An objection may not be made on the grounds mentioned in paragraph (d) of subsection (4) if it may be made on the grounds mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection.
(7) The grounds on which objection may be made in a counter-notice to a blight notice served by virtue of paragraph 19 of Schedule 13 shall not include those mentioned in subsection (4)(b) or (c).
(7A) The grounds on which objection may be made in a counter-notice to a blight notice served by virtue of paragraph 25 of Schedule 13 do not include those mentioned in subsection (4)(b).
(7B) The grounds on which objection may be made in a counter-notice to a blight notice served by virtue of paragraph 26 of Schedule 13 do not include those mentioned in subsection (4)(b).
(8) In this section “relevant powers”, in relation to blighted land falling within any paragraph of Schedule 13, means any powers under which the appropriate authority are or could be authorised—
(a) to acquire that land or to acquire any rights over it compulsorily as being land falling within that paragraph; or
(b) to acquire that land or any rights over it compulsorily for any of the relevant purposes;
and “the relevant purposes”, in relation to any such land, means the purposes for which, in accordance with the circumstances by virtue of which that land falls within the paragraph in question, it is liable to be acquired or is indicated as being proposed to be acquired.
152 Further counter-notices where certain proposals have come into force.
(1) Where—
(a) an appropriate authority have served a counter-notice objecting to a blight notice in respect of any land falling within paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4 or 14 of Schedule 13 by virtue of Note (1) to that paragraph, and
(b) the relevant plan or alterations or, as the case may be, the relevant order or scheme comes into force (whether in its original form or with modifications),
the appropriate authority may serve on the claimant, in substitution for the counter-notice already served, a further counter-notice specifying different grounds of objection.
(2) Such a further counter-notice shall not be served—
(a) at any time after the end of the period of two months beginning with the date on which the relevant plan or alterations come into force; or
(b) if the objection in the counter-notice already served has been withdrawn or the Upper Tribunal has already determined whether or not to uphold that objection.
153 Reference of objection to Upper Tribunal: general.
(1) Where a counter-notice has been served under section 151 objecting to a blight notice, the claimant may require the objection to be referred to the Upper Tribunal.
(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) On any such reference, if the objection is not withdrawn, the Upper Tribunal shall consider—
(a) the matters set out in the notice served by the claimant, and
(b) the grounds of the objection specified in the counter-notice;
and, subject to subsection (4), unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Tribunal that the objection is not well-founded, the Tribunal shall uphold the objection.
(4) An objection on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(b), (c) or (d) shall not be upheld by the Tribunal unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Tribunal that the objection is well-founded.
(4A) Where the effect of a blight notice would be a compulsory purchase to which Part 1 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 applies, the Upper Tribunal may uphold an objection on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c) only if it is satisfied that the part of the hereditament or affected area proposed to be acquired in the counter-notice—
(a) in the case of a house, building or factory, can be taken without material detriment to the house, building or factory, or
(b) in the case of a park or garden belonging to a house, can be taken without seriously affecting the amenity or convenience of the house.
(5) If the Tribunal determines not to uphold the objection, the Tribunal shall declare that the notice to which the counter-notice relates is a valid notice.
(6) If the Tribunal upholds the objection, but only on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c), the Tribunal shall declare that the notice is a valid notice in relation to the part of the hereditament, or in the case of an agricultural unit the part of the affected area, specified in the counter-notice as being the part which the appropriate authority propose to acquire as mentioned in that notice, but not in relation to any other part of the hereditament or affected area.
(7) In a case falling within subsection (5) or (6), the Tribunal shall give directions specifying the date on which notice to treat (as mentioned in section 154) is to be deemed to have been served.
(8) This section shall have effect in relation to a further counter-notice served by virtue of section 152(1) as it has effect in relation to the counter-notice for which it is substituted.
(1) Subsection (2) applies where a blight notice has been served and either—
(a) no counter-notice objecting to that notice is served in accordance with this Chapter; or
(b) where such a counter-notice has been served, the objection is withdrawn or, on a reference to the Upper Tribunal, is not upheld by the Tribunal.
(2) Where this subsection applies, the appropriate authority shall be deemed—
(a) to be authorised to acquire compulsorily under the appropriate enactment the interest of the claimant in the hereditament, or in the case of an agricultural unit the interest of the claimant in so far as it subsists in the affected area, and
(b) to have served a notice to treat in respect of it on the date mentioned in subsection (3).
(3) The date referred to in subsection (2)—
(a) in a case where, on a reference to the Upper Tribunal, the Tribunal determines not to uphold the objection, is the date specified in directions given by the Tribunal in accordance with section 153(7);
(b) in any other case, is the date on which the period of two months beginning with the date of service of the blight notice comes to an end.
(4) Subsection (5) applies where the appropriate authority have served a counter-notice objecting to a blight notice on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c) and either—
(a) the claimant, without referring that objection to the Upper Tribunal, and before the time for so referring it has expired—
(i) gives notice to the appropriate authority that he accepts the proposal of the authority to acquire the part of the hereditament or affected area specified in the counter-notice, and
(ii) withdraws his claim as to the remainder of that hereditament or area; or
(b) on a reference to the Upper Tribunal, the Tribunal makes a declaration in accordance with section 153(6) in respect of that part of the hereditament or affected area.
(5) Where this subsection applies, the appropriate authority shall be deemed—
(a) to be authorised to acquire compulsorily under the appropriate enactment the interest of the claimant in so far as it subsists in the part of the hereditament or affected area specified in the counter-notice (but not in so far as it subsists in any other part of that hereditament or area), and
(b) to have served a notice to treat in respect of it on the date mentioned in subsection (6).
(6) The date referred to in subsection (5)—
(a) in a case falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (4), is the date on which notice is given in accordance with that paragraph; and
(b) in a case falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection, is the date specified in directions given by the Upper Tribunal in accordance with section 153(7).
155 Effect on powers of compulsory acquisition of counter-notice disclaiming intention to acquire.
(1) Subsection (2) shall have effect where the grounds of objection specified in a counter-notice served under section 151 consist of or include the grounds mentioned in paragraph (b) or (d) of subsection (4) of that section and either—
(a) the objection on the grounds mentioned in that paragraph is referred to and upheld by the Upper Tribunal; or
(b) the time for referring that objection to the Upper Tribunal expires without its having been so referred.
(2) If—
(a) a compulsory purchase order has been made under the appropriate enactment in respect of land which consists of or includes the whole or part of the hereditament or agricultural unit to which the counter-notice relates, or
(b) the land in question falls within paragraph 21 of Schedule 13,
any power conferred by that order or, as the case may be, by special enactment for the compulsory acquisition of the interest of the claimant in the hereditament or agricultural unit or any part of it shall cease to have effect.
(3) Subsection (4) shall have effect where the grounds of objection specified in a counter-notice under section 151 consist of or include the grounds mentioned in paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of that section and either—
(a) the objection on the grounds mentioned in that paragraph is referred to and upheld by the Upper Tribunal; or
(b) the time for referring that objection to the Upper Tribunal expires without its having been so referred;
and in subsection (4) any reference to “the part of the hereditament or affected area not required” is a reference to the whole of that hereditament or area except the part specified in the counter-notice as being the part which the appropriate authority propose to acquire as mentioned in the counter-notice.
(4) If—
(a) a compulsory purchase order has been made under the appropriate enactment in respect of land which consists of or includes any of the part of the hereditament or affected area not required, or
(b) the land in question falls within paragraph 21 of Schedule 13,
any power conferred by that order or, as the case may be, by the special enactment for the compulsory acquisition of the interest of the claimant in any land comprised in the part of the hereditament or affected area not required shall cease to have effect.
(1) Subject to subsection (3), the person by whom a blight notice has been served may withdraw the notice at any time before the compensation payable in respect of a compulsory acquisition in pursuance of the notice has been determined by the Upper Tribunal or, if there has been such a determination, at any time before the end of the period of six weeks beginning with the date of the determination.
(2) Where a blight notice is withdrawn by virtue of subsection (1) any notice to treat deemed to have been served in consequence of it shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
(3) A person shall not be entitled by virtue of subsection (1) to withdraw a notice after the appropriate authority have exercised a right of entering and taking possession of land in pursuance of a notice to treat deemed to have been served in consequence of that notice.
(4) No compensation shall be payable in respect of the withdrawal of a notice to treat which is deemed to have been withdrawn by virtue of subsection (2).
157 Special provisions as to compensation for acquisitions in pursuance of blight notices.
(A1) Where—
(a) an interest in land is acquired in pursuance of a blight notice,
(b) the interest is one in respect of which a compulsory purchase order is in force, and
(c) the order directs that compensation is to be assessed in accordance with section 14A of the Land Compensation Act 1961,
the compensation payable for the acquisition is to be assessed in accordance with that direction and as if the notice to treat deemed to have been served in respect of the interest under section 154 had been served in pursuance of the compulsory purchase order.
(1) Where—
(a) an interest in land is acquired in pursuance of a blight notice, and
(b) the interest is one in respect of which a compulsory purchase order is in force under section 1 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, as applied by section 47 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 or section 137 of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023, containing a direction for minimum compensation under section 50 of that Act of 1990 or section 140 of that Act of 2023,
the compensation payable for the acquisition shall be assessed in accordance with that direction and as if the notice to treat deemed to have been served in respect of the interest under section 154 had been served in pursuance of the compulsory purchase order.
(2) Where—
(a) an interest in land is acquired in pursuance of a blight notice, and
(b) the interest is one in respect of which a compulsory purchase order is in force under section 290 of the Housing Act 1985 (acquisition of land for clearance);
the compensation payable for the acquisition shall be assessed in accordance with that Act and as if the notice to treat deemed to have been served in respect of the interest under section 154 had been served in pursuance of the compulsory purchase order.
(3) The compensation payable in respect of the acquisition by virtue of section 160 of an interest in land comprised in—
(a) the unaffected area of an agricultural unit; or
(b) if the appropriate authority have served a counter-notice objecting to the blight notice on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c), so much of the affected area of the unit as is not specified in the counter-notice,
shall be assessed on the assumptions mentioned in section 5(2), (3) and (4) of the Land Compensation Act 1973.
(4) In subsection (3) the reference to “the appropriate authority” shall be construed as if the unaffected area of an agricultural unit were part of the affected area.
158 Inclusion in blight notices of requirement to purchase parts of agricultural units unaffected by blight.
(1) This section applies where—
(a) a blight notice is served in respect of an interest in the whole or part of an agricultural unit, and
(b) on the date of service that unit or part contains land (“the unaffected area”) which is not blighted land as well as land (“the affected area”) which is such land.
(2) Where this section applies the claimant may include in the blight notice—
(a) a claim that the unaffected area is not reasonably capable of being farmed, either by itself or in conjunction with other relevant land, as a separate agricultural unit; and
(b) a requirement that the appropriate authority shall purchase his interest in the whole of the unit or, as the case may be, in the whole of the part of it to which the notice relates.
(3) Subject to section 159(4), “other relevant land” in subsection (2) means—
(a) if the blight notice is served only in respect of part of land comprised in the agricultural unit, the remainder of it; and
(b) land which is comprised in any other agricultural unit occupied by the claimant on the date of service and in respect of which he is then entitled to an owner’s interest as defined in section 168(4).
(1) The grounds on which objection may be made in a counter-notice to a blight notice served by virtue of section 158 shall include the ground that the claim made in the notice is not justified.
(2) Objection shall not be made to a blight notice served by virtue of section 158 on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c) unless it is also made on the grounds mentioned in subsection (1).
(3) The Upper Tribunal shall not uphold an objection to a notice served by virtue of section 158 on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c) unless it also upholds the objection on the grounds mentioned in subsection (1).
(4) Where objection is made to a blight notice served by virtue of section 158 on the ground mentioned in subsection (1) and also on those mentioned in section 151(4)(c), the Upper Tribunal, in determining whether or not to uphold the objection, shall treat that part of the affected area which is not specified in the counter-notice as included in “other relevant land” as defined in section 158(3).
(5) If the Upper Tribunal upholds an objection but only on the ground mentioned in subsection (1), the Tribunal shall declare that the blight notice is a valid notice in relation to the affected area but not in relation to the unaffected area.
(6) If the Tribunal upholds an objection both on the ground mentioned in subsection (1) and on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c) (but not on any other grounds) the Tribunal shall declare that the blight notice is a valid notice in relation to the part of the affected area specified in the counter-notice as being the part which the appropriate authority propose to acquire as mentioned in that notice but not in relation to any other part of the affected area or in relation to the unaffected area.
(7) In a case falling within subsection (5) or (6), the Tribunal shall give directions specifying a date on which notice to treat (as mentioned in sections 154 and section 160) is to be deemed to have been served.
(8) Section 153(6) shall not apply to any blight notice served by virtue of section 158.
(1) In relation to a blight notice served by virtue of section 158—
(a) subsection (2) of section 154 shall have effect as if for the words “or in the case of an agricultural unit the interest of the claimant in so far as it subsists in the affected area” there were substituted the words “ or agricultural unit ”; and
(b) subsections (4) and (5) of that section shall not apply to any such blight notice.
(2) Where the appropriate authority have served a counter-notice objecting to a blight notice on the grounds mentioned in section 159(1), then if either—
(a) the claimant, without referring that objection to the Upper Tribunal and before the time for so referring it has expired, gives notice to the appropriate authority that he withdraws his claim as to the unaffected area; or
(b) on a reference to the Tribunal, the Tribunal makes a declaration in accordance with section 159(5),
the appropriate authority shall be deemed—
(i) to be authorised to acquire compulsorily under the appropriate enactment the interest of the claimant in so far as it subsists in the affected area (but not in so far as it subsists in the unaffected area), and
(ii) to have served a notice to treat in respect of it on the date mentioned in subsection (3).
(3) The date referred to in subsection (2)—
(a) in a case falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (2), is the date on which notice is given in accordance with that paragraph; and
(b) in a case falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection, is the date specified in directions given by the Tribunal in accordance with section 159(7).
(4) Where the appropriate authority have served a counter-notice objecting to a blight notice on the grounds mentioned in section 159(1) and also on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c), then if either—
(a) the claimant, without referring that objection to the Upper Tribunal and before the time for so referring it has expired—
(i) gives notice to the appropriate authority that he accepts the proposal of the authority to acquire the part of the affected area specified in the counter-notice, and
(ii) withdraws his claim as to the remainder of that area and as to the unaffected area; or
(b) on a reference to the Tribunal, the Tribunal makes a declaration in accordance with section 159(6) in respect of that part of the affected area,
the appropriate authority shall be deemed to be authorised to acquire compulsorily under the appropriate enactment the interest of the claimant in so far as it subsists in the part of the affected area specified in the counter-notice (but not in so far as it subsists in any other part of that area or in the unaffected area) and to have served a notice to treat in respect of it on the date mentioned in subsection (5).
(5) The date referred to in subsection (4)—
(a) in a case falling within paragraph (a) of that subsection, is the date on which notice is given in accordance with that paragraph; and
(b) in a case falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection, is the date specified in directions given by the Tribunal in accordance with section 159(7).
(6) In relation to a blight notice served by virtue of section 158 references to “the appropriate authority” and “the appropriate enactment” shall be construed as if the unaffected area of an agricultural unit were part of the affected area.
161 Powers of personal representatives in respect of blight notice.
(1) In relation to any time after the death of a person who has served a blight notice, sections 151(1), 152(1), 153(1), 154(4) and (5), 156(1) and 160(2) and (4) shall apply as if any reference in them to the claimant were a reference to the claimant’s personal representatives.
(2) Where the whole or part of a hereditament or agricultural unit is comprised in blighted land and a person claims that—
(a) he is the personal representative of a person (“the deceased”) who at the date of his death was entitled to an interest in that hereditament or unit;
(b) the interest was one which would have been a qualifying interest if a notice under section 150 had been served in respect of it on that date;
(c) he has made reasonable endeavours to sell that interest or the land falls within paragraph 21 or paragraph 22 (disregarding the notes) of Schedule 13 and the powers of compulsory acquisition remain exercisable;
(d) in consequence of the fact that the hereditament or unit or a part of it was, or was likely to be, comprised in blighted land, he has been unable to sell that interest except at a price substantially lower than that for which it might reasonably have been expected to sell if no part of the hereditament or unit were, or were likely to be, comprised in such land; and
(e) one or more individuals are (to the exclusion of any body corporate) beneficially entitled to that interest,
he may serve on the appropriate authority a notice in the prescribed form requiring that authority to purchase that interest to the extent specified in, and otherwise in accordance with, this Chapter.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), subsection (2) shall apply in relation to an interest in part of a hereditament or agricultural unit as it applies in relation to an interest in the whole of a hereditament or agricultural unit.
(4) Subsection (3) shall not enable any person—
(a) if the deceased was entitled to an interest in the whole of a hereditament or agricultural unit, to make any claim or serve any notice under this section in respect of the deceased’s interest in part of the hereditament or unit; or
(b) if the deceased was entitled to an interest only in part of the hereditament or agricultural unit, to make or serve any such claim or notice in respect of the deceased’s interest in less than the whole of that part.
(5) Subject to sections 151(7) and 159(2) and (3), the grounds on which objection may be made in a counter-notice under section 151 to a notice under this section are those specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (4) of that section and, in a case to which it applies, the grounds specified in paragraph (d) of that subsection and also the following grounds—
(a) that the claimant is not the personal representative of the deceased or that, on the date of the deceased’s death, the deceased was not entitled to an interest in any part of the hereditament or agricultural unit to which the notice relates;
(b) that (for reasons specified in the counter-notice) the interest of the deceased is not such as is specified in subsection (2)(b);
(c) that the conditions specified in subsection (2)(c), (d) or (e) are not satisfied.
(1) Where the whole or part of a hereditament or agricultural unit is comprised in blighted land and a person claims that—
(a) he is entitled as mortgagee (by virtue of a power which has become exercisable) to sell an interest in the hereditament or unit, giving immediate vacant possession of the land;
(b) he has made reasonable endeavours to sell that interest or the land falls within paragraph 21 or paragraph 22 (disregarding the notes) of Schedule 13 and the powers of compulsory acquisition remain exercisable; and
(c) in consequence of the fact that the hereditament or unit or a part of it was, or was likely to be, comprised in blighted land, he has been unable to sell that interest except at a price substantially lower than that for which it might reasonably have been expected to sell if no part of the hereditament or unit were, or were likely to be, comprised in such land,
then, subject to the provisions of this section, he may serve on the appropriate authority a notice in the prescribed form requiring that authority to purchase that interest to the extent specified in, and otherwise in accordance with, this Chapter.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), subsection (1) shall apply in relation to an interest in part of a hereditament or unit as it applies in relation to an interest in the whole of a hereditament or unit.
(3) Subsection (2) shall not enable a person—
(a) if his interest as mortgagee is in the whole of a hereditament or agricultural unit, to make any claim or serve any notice under this section in respect of any interest in part of the hereditament or unit; or
(b) if his interest as mortgagee is only in part of a hereditament or agricultural unit, to make or serve any such notice or claim in respect of any interest in less than the whole of that part.
(4) Notice under this section shall not be served unless the interest which the mortgagee claims he has the power to sell—
(a) could be the subject of a notice under section 150 served by the person entitled to it on the date of service of the notice under this section; or
(b) could have been the subject of such a notice served by that person on a date not more than six months before the date of service of the notice under this section.
(5) Subject to sections 151(7) and 159(2) and (3), the grounds on which objection may be made in a counter-notice under section 151 to a notice under this section are those specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (4) of that section and, in a case to which it applies, the grounds specified in paragraph (d) of that subsection and also the following grounds—
(a) that, on the date of service of the notice under this section, the claimant had no interest as mortgagee in any part of the hereditament or agricultural unit to which the notice relates;
(b) that (for reasons specified in the counter-notice) the claimant had not on that date the power referred to in subsection (1)(a);
(c) that the conditions specified in subsection (1)(b) and (c) are not fulfilled;
(d) that (for reasons specified in the counter-notice) neither of the conditions specified in subsection (4) was, on the date of service of the notice under this section, satisfied with regard to the interest referred to in that subsection.
163 Prohibition on service of simultaneous notices under ss. 150, 161 and 162.
(1) No notice shall be served under section 150 or 161 in respect of a hereditament or agricultural unit, or any part of it, at a time when a notice already served under section 162 is outstanding with respect to it, and no notice shall be served under section 162 at a time when a notice already served under section 150 or 161 is outstanding with respect to the relevant hereditament, unit or part.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a notice shall be treated as outstanding with respect to a hereditament, unit or part—
(a) until it is withdrawn in relation to the hereditament, unit or part; or
(b) in a case where an objection to the notice has been made by a counter-notice under section 151, until either—
(i) the period of two months specified in section 153 elapses without the claimant having required the objection to be referred to the Upper Tribunal under that section; or
(ii) the objection, having been so referred, is upheld by the Tribunal with respect to the hereditament, unit or part.
(1) This section shall have effect for the purposes of the application of this Chapter to a hereditament or agricultural unit occupied for the purposes of a partnership firm.
(2) Occupation for the purposes of the firm shall be treated as occupation by the firm, and not as occupation by any one or more of the partners individually, and the definitions of “owner-occupier” in section 168(1) and (2) shall apply in relation to the firm accordingly.
(3) If, after the service by the firm of a blight notice, any change occurs (whether by death or otherwise) in the constitution of the firm, any proceedings, rights or obligations consequential upon that notice may be carried on or exercised by or against, or, as the case may be, shall be incumbent upon, the partners for the time being constituting the firm.
(4) Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as indicating an intention to exclude the operation of the definition of “person” in Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978 (by which, unless the contrary intention appears, “person” includes any body of persons corporate or unincorporate) in relation to any provision of this Chapter.
(5) Subsection (2) shall not affect the definition of “resident owner-occupier” in section 168(3).
164A Power of Welsh Ministers to acquire land identified by National Development Framework for Wales where blight notice served
Where a blight notice has been served in respect of land falling within paragraph 1C of Schedule 13, the Welsh Ministers have power to acquire compulsorily any interest in the land in pursuance of the blight notice served by virtue of that paragraph.
165 Power of Secretary of State to acquire land affected by orders relating to new towns etc. where blight notice served.
(1) Where a blight notice has been served in respect of land falling within paragraph 7, 8 or 9 of Schedule 13, then until such time as a development corporation is established for the new town or, as the case may be, an urban development corporation is established for the urban development area the Secretary of State shall have power to acquire compulsorily any interest in the land in pursuance of the blight notice served by virtue of that paragraph.
(2) Where the Secretary of State acquires an interest under subsection (1), then—
(a) if the land is or becomes land within paragraph 8 or, as the case may be, paragraph 9(b) of Schedule 13, the interest shall be transferred by him to the development corporation established for the new town or, as the case may be, the urban development corporation established for the urban development area; and
(b) in any other case, the interest may be disposed of by him in such manner as he thinks fit.
(3) The Land Compensation Act 1961 shall have effect in relation to the compensation payable in respect of the acquisition of an interest by the Secretary of State under subsection (1) as if—
(a) the acquisition were by a development corporation under the New Towns Act 1981 or, as the case may be, by an urban development corporation under Part XVI of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980;
(b) in the case of land within paragraph 7 of Schedule 13, the land formed part of an area designated as the site of a new town by an order which has come into operation under section 1 of the New Towns Act 1981; and
(c) in the case of land within paragraph 9(a) of Schedule 13, the land formed part of an area designated as an urban development area by an order under section 134 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 which has come into operation.
165ZA Power of Greater London Authority to acquire land affected by designation of Mayoral development area where blight notice served
(1) Where a blight notice has been served in respect of land falling within paragraph 9A of Schedule 13 then, until such time as a Mayoral development corporation is established for the Mayoral development area, the Greater London Authority has power to acquire compulsorily any interest in the land in pursuance of the blight notice served by virtue of that paragraph.
(2) Where the Greater London Authority acquires an interest under subsection (1), then—
(a) if the land is or becomes land within paragraph 9A(b) of Schedule 13, the interest is to be transferred by the Authority to the Mayoral development corporation established for the Mayoral development area; and
(b) in any other case, the interest may be disposed of by the Authority in such manner as the Authority thinks fit.
(3) The Land Compensation Act 1961 has effect in relation to the compensation payable in respect of the acquisition of an interest by the Greater London Authority under subsection (1) as if—
(a) the acquisition were by a Mayoral development corporation under Chapter 2 of Part 8 of the Localism Act 2011; and
(b) the land formed part of an area for which a Mayoral development corporation has been established.
165A Power of Secretary of State to acquire land identified in national policy statements where blight notice served
Where a blight notice has been served in respect of land falling within paragraph 25 of Schedule 13, the Secretary of State has power to acquire compulsorily any interest in the land in pursuance of the blight notice served by virtue of that paragraph.
165B Power of Welsh Ministers to acquire land identified in infrastructure policy statements where blight notice served
Where a blight notice has been served in respect of land falling within paragraph 26 of Schedule 13, the Welsh Ministers have power to acquire compulsorily any interest in the land in pursuance of the blight notice served by virtue of that paragraph.
166 Saving for claimant’s right to sell whole hereditament, etc.
(1) The provisions of sections 151(4)(c), 153(6), 154(4) and (5) and 155(3) and (4) relating to hereditaments shall not affect—
(a) the right of a claimant under section 92 of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 to sell the whole of the hereditament or, in the case of an agricultural unit, the whole of the affected area, which he has required the authority to purchase; ...
(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
167 No withdrawal of constructive notice to treat.
Without prejudice to the provisions of section 156(1) and (2), a notice to treat which is deemed to have been served by virtue of this Chapter may not be withdrawn under section 31 of the Land Compensation Act 1961.
168 Meaning of “owner-occupier” and “resident owner-occupier”.
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, in this Chapter “owner-occupier”, in relation to a hereditament, means—
(a) a person who occupies the whole or a substantial part of the hereditament in right of an owner’s interest in it, and has so occupied the hereditament or that part of it during the whole of the period of six months ending with the date of service; or
(b) if the whole or a substantial part of the hereditament was unoccupied for a period of not more than 12 months ending with that date, a person who so occupied the hereditament or, as the case may be, that part of it during the whole of a period of six months ending immediately before the period when it was not occupied.
(2) Subject to the following provisions of this section, in this Chapter “owner-occupier”, in relation to an agricultural unit, means a person who—
(a) occupies the whole of that unit and has occupied it during the whole of the period of six months ending with the date of service; or
(b) occupied the whole of that unit during the whole of a period of six months ending not more than 12 months before the date of service,
and, at all times material for the purposes of paragraph (a) or, as the case may be, paragraph (b) has been entitled to an owner’s interest in the whole or part of that unit.
(3) In this Chapter “resident owner-occupier”, in relation to a hereditament, means—
(a) an individual who occupies the whole or a substantial part of the hereditament as a private dwelling in right of an owner’s interest in it, and has so occupied the hereditament or, as the case may be, that part during the whole of the period of six months ending with the date of service; or
(b) if the whole or a substantial part of the hereditament was unoccupied for a period of not more than 12 months ending with that date, an individual who so occupied the hereditament or, as the case may be, that part during the whole of a period of six months ending immediately before the period when it was not occupied.
(4) In this section—
“owner’s interest”, in relation to a hereditament or agricultural unit, means a freehold interest in it or a tenancy of it granted or extended for a term of years certain not less than three years of which remain unexpired on the date of service; and
“date of service”, in relation to a hereditament or agricultural unit, means the date of service of a notice in respect of it under section 150.
169 “Appropriate authority” for purposes of Chapter II.
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, in this Chapter “the appropriate authority”, in relation to any land, means the government department, local authority National Park authority or other body or person by whom, in accordance with the circumstances by virtue of which the land falls within any paragraph of Schedule 13, the land is liable to be acquired or is indicated as being proposed to be acquired or, as the case may be, any right over the land is proposed to be acquired.
(2) If any question arises—
(a) whether the appropriate authority in relation to any land for the purposes of this Chapter is the Secretary of State or a local highway authority; or
(b) which of two or more local highway authorities is the appropriate authority in relation to any land for those purposes; or
(c) which of two or more local authorities is the appropriate authority in relation to any land for those purposes,
that question shall be referred to the Secretary of State, whose decision shall be final.
(3) If any question arises which authority is the appropriate authority for the purposes of this Chapter—
(a) section 151(2) shall have effect as if the reference to the date of service of the blight notice were a reference to that date or, if it is later, the date on which that question is determined;
(b) section 162(4)(b) shall apply with the substitution for the period of six months of a reference to that period extended by so long as it takes to obtain a determination of the question; and
(c) section 168(1)(b), (2)(b) and (3)(b) shall apply with the substitution for the reference to 12 months before the date of service of a reference to that period extended by so long as it takes to obtain a determination of the question.
(4) In relation to land falling within paragraph 7, 8 or 9 of Schedule 13, until such time as a development corporation is established for the new town or, as the case may be, an urban development corporation is established for the urban development area, this Chapter shall have effect as if “the appropriate authority” were the Secretary of State.
(4A) In relation to land falling within paragraph 9A of Schedule 13, until such time as a Mayoral development corporation is established for the Mayoral development area, this Chapter has effect as if “the appropriate authority” were the Mayor of London.
(5) In relation to land falling within paragraph 19 of Schedule 13, “the appropriate authority” shall be the highway authority for the highway in relation to which the order mentioned in that paragraph was made.
(6) In relation to land falling within paragraph 25 of Schedule 13, “the appropriate authority” is—
(a) if the national policy statement identifies a statutory undertaker as an appropriate person to carry out the specified description of development in the location, the statutory undertaker;
(b) in any other case, the Secretary of State.
(7) If any question arises by virtue of subsection (6)—
(a) whether the appropriate authority in relation to any land for the purposes of this Chapter is the Secretary of State or a statutory undertaker; or
(b) which of two or more statutory undertakers is the appropriate authority in relation to any land for those purposes,
that question shall be referred to the Secretary of State, whose decision shall be final.
(7A) In relation to land falling within paragraph 26 of Schedule 13, “the appropriate authority” is—
(a) if the infrastructure policy statement identifies a statutory undertaker as an appropriate person to carry out the specified description of development in the location, the statutory undertaker;
(b) in any other case, the Welsh Ministers.
(7B) If any question arises by virtue of subsection (7A)—
(a) whether the appropriate authority in relation to any land for the purposes of this Chapter is the Welsh Ministers or a statutory undertaker; or
(b) which of two or more statutory undertakers is the appropriate authority in relation to any land for those purposes, that question must be referred to the Welsh Ministers, whose decision is final.
(8) In subsections (6) and (7) , (7), (7A) and (7B) “statutory undertaker” means a person who is, or is deemed to be, a statutory undertaker for the purposes of any provision of Part 11.
170 “Appropriate enactment” for purposes of Chapter II.
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, in this Chapter “the appropriate enactment”, in relation to land falling within any paragraph of Schedule 13, means the enactment which provides for the compulsory acquisition of land as being land falling within that paragraph or, as respects paragraph 22(b), the enactment under which the compulsory purchase order referred to in that paragraph was made.
(2) In relation to land falling within paragraph 1B, 1C, 2, 3 or 4 of that Schedule, an enactment shall for the purposes of subsection (1) be taken to be an enactment which provides for the compulsory acquisition of land as being land falling within that paragraph if—
(a) the enactment provides for the compulsory acquisition of land for the purposes of the functions which are indicated in the development plan as being the functions for the purposes of which the land is allocated or is proposed to be developed; or
(b) where no particular functions are so indicated in the development plan, the enactment provides for the compulsory acquisition of land for the purposes of any of the functions of the government department, local authority National Park authority or other body for the purposes of whose functions the land is allocated or is defined as the site of proposed development.
(2A) In relation to land falling within—
(a) paragraph 1B of that Schedule by virtue of Note (2)(c) or (d) to that paragraph, or
(b) paragraph 1C of that Schedule by virtue of Note (1)(b) to that paragraph,
“the appropriate enactment” is to be determined in accordance with subsection (2) as if references in that subsection to the development plan were references to any such plan, revision or draft as is mentioned in the Note in question.
(3) In relation to land falling within paragraph 2, 3 or 4 of that Schedule by virtue of Note (1) to that paragraph, “the appropriate enactment” shall be determined in accordance with subsection (2) as if references in that subsection to the development plan were references to any such plan, proposal or modifications as are mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of that Note.
(4) In relation to land falling within paragraph 5 or 6 of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment” shall be determined in accordance with subsection (2) as if references in that subsection to the development plan were references to the resolution or direction in question.
(5) In relation to land falling within paragraph 7, 8 , 9 or 9A of that Schedule, until such time as a development corporation is established for the new town or, as the case may be, an urban development corporation is established for the urban development area or a Mayoral development corporation is established for the Mayoral development area , this Chapter shall have effect as if “the appropriate enactment” were section 165(1).
(6) In relation to land falling within paragraph 10 or 11 of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment” shall be section 290 of the Housing Act 1985.
(7) In relation to land falling within paragraph 19 of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment” shall be section 239(6) of the Highways Act 1980.
(8) In relation to land falling within paragraph 22 of that Schedule by virtue of Note (1) to that paragraph, “the appropriate enactment” shall be the enactment which would provide for the compulsory acquisition of the land or of the rights over the land if the relevant compulsory purchase order were confirmed or made.
(8A) In relation to land falling within paragraph 24(a) or (b) of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment” is the order granting development consent.
(8B) In relation to land falling within paragraph 24(c) of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment” is an order in the terms of the order applied for.
(8C) In relation to land falling within paragraph 25 of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment” is section 165A.
(8D) In relation to land falling within paragraph 24ZA(a) or (b) of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment” is the infrastructure consent order.
(8E) In relation to land falling within paragraph 24ZA(c) of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment” is an infrastructure consent order in the terms of the order applied for.
(8F) In relation to land falling within paragraph 26 of that Schedule, “the appropriate enactment is section 165B.
(9) Where, in accordance with the circumstances by virtue of which any land falls within any paragraph of that Schedule, it is indicated that the land is proposed to be acquired for highway purposes, any enactment under which a highway authority are or (subject to the fulfilment of the relevant conditions) could be authorised to acquire that land compulsorily for highway purposes shall, for the purposes of subsection (1), be taken to be an enactment providing for the compulsory acquisition of that land as being land falling within that paragraph.
(10) In subsection (9) the reference to the fulfilment of the relevant conditions is a reference to such one or more of the following as are applicable to the circumstances in question—
(a) the coming into operation of any requisite order or scheme made, or having effect as if made, under the provisions of Part II of the Highways Act 1980;
(b) the coming into operation of any requisite scheme made, or having effect as if made, under section 106(3) of that Act;
(c) the making or approval of any requisite plans.
(11) If, apart from this subsection, two or more enactments would be the appropriate enactment in relation to any land for the purposes of this Chapter, the appropriate enactment for those purposes shall be taken to be that one of those enactments under which, in the circumstances in question, it is most likely that (apart from this Chapter) the land would have been acquired by the appropriate authority.
(12) If any question arises as to which enactment is the appropriate enactment in relation to any land for the purposes of this Chapter, that question shall be referred—
(a) where the appropriate authority are a government department, to the Minister in charge of that department;
(b) where the appropriate authority are statutory undertakers, to the appropriate Minister; and
(c) in any other case, to the Secretary of State,
and the decision of the Minister or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall be final.
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, in this Chapter—
“the affected area”, in relation to an agricultural unit, means so much of that unit as, on the date of service, consists of land falling within any paragraph of Schedule 13;
“agricultural” has the same meaning as in section 109 of the Agriculture Act 1947 and references to the farming of land include references to the carrying on in relation to the land of agricultural activities;
“agricultural unit” means land which is occupied as a unit for agricultural purposes, including any dwellinghouse or other building occupied by the same person for the purpose of farming the land;
“annual value” means—
(a) in the case of a hereditament which is shown in a local non-domestic rating list and none of which consists of domestic property or property exempt from local non-domestic rating, the value shown in that list as the rateable value of that hereditament on the date of service;
(b) in the case of a hereditament which is shown in a local non-domestic rating list and which includes domestic property or property exempt from local non-domestic rating, the sum of—
(i) the value shown in that list as the rateable value of that hereditament on the date of service; and
(ii) the value attributable to the non-rateable part of that hereditament in accordance with subsections (2) and (3);
(c) in the case of any other hereditament, the value attributable to that hereditament in accordance with subsections (2) and (3);
“blight notice” has the meaning given in section 149(5);
“the claimant” has the meaning given in section 150(4);
“hereditament” means a relevant hereditament within the meaning of section 64(4)(a) to (c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988;
“infrastructure policy statement has the meaning given by section 127(2) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024;
“national policy statement” has the meaning given by section 5(2) of the Planning Act 2008;
“special enactment” means a local enactment, or a provision contained in an Act other than a local or private Act, which is a local enactment or provision authorising the compulsory acquisition of land specifically identified in it; and in this definition “local enactment” means a local or private Act, or an order confirmed by Parliament or brought into operation in accordance with special parliamentary procedure.
(2) The value attributable to a hereditament, or the non-rateable part of it, in respect of domestic property shall be the value certified by the relevant valuation officer as being 5 per cent. of the compensation which would be payable in respect of the value of that property if it were purchased compulsorily under statute with vacant possession and the compensation payable were calculated in accordance with Part II of the Land Compensation Act 1961 by reference to the relevant date.
(3) The value attributable to a hereditament, or the non-rateable part of it, in respect of property exempt from local non-domestic rating shall be the value certified by the relevant valuation officer as being the value which would have been shown as the rateable value of that property on the date of service if it were a relevant non-domestic hereditament consisting entirely of non-domestic property, none of which was exempt from local non-domestic rating.
(4) Land which (apart from this subsection) would comprise separate hereditaments solely by reason of being divided by a boundary between rating areas shall be treated for the purposes of the definition of “hereditament” in subsection (1) as if it were not so divided.
(5) In this section—
“date of service” has the same meaning as in section 168;
“relevant valuation officer” means the valuation officer who would have determined the rateable value in respect of the hereditament for the purposes of Part III of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 if the hereditament had fulfilled the conditions set out in section 42(1)(b) to (d) of that Act;
“relevant date” is the date by reference to which that determination would have been made;
and expressions used in the definition of “annual value” in subsection (1) or in subsection (2) or (3) which are also used in Part III of that Act have the same meaning as in that Part.
171A Expressions used in connection with enforcement.
(1) For the purposes of this Act—
(a) carrying out development without the required planning permission; or
(b) failing to comply with any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission has been granted,
constitutes a breach of planning control.
(2) For the purposes of this Act—
(za) the issue of an enforcement warning notice in relation to land in England under section 172ZA;
(a) the issue of an enforcement notice (defined in section 172);
(aa) the issue of an enforcement warning notice in relation to land in Wales under section 173ZA; or
(b) the service of a breach of condition notice (defined in section 187A),
constitutes taking enforcement action.
(3) In this Part “planning permission” includes permission under Part III of the 1947 Act, of the 1962 Act or of the 1971 Act.
(1) Where there has been a breach of planning control consisting in the carrying out without planning permission of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, no enforcement action may be taken after the end of the period of—
(a) in the case of a breach of planning control in England, ten years beginning with the date on which the operations were substantially completed, and
(b) in the case of a breach of planning control in Wales, four years beginning with the date on which the operations were substantially completed.
(2) Where there has been a breach of planning control consisting in the change of use of any building to use as a single dwellinghouse, no enforcement action may be taken after the end of the period of—
(a) in the case of a breach of planning control in England, ten years beginning with the date of the breach, and
(b) in the case of a breach of planning control in Wales, four years beginning with the date of the breach.
(2A) There is no restriction on when enforcement action may be taken in relation to a breach of planning control in respect of relevant demolition (within the meaning of section 196D).
(3) In the case of any other breach of planning control, no enforcement action may be taken after the end of the period of ten years beginning with the date of the breach.
(4) The preceding subsections do not prevent—
(a) the service of a breach of condition notice in respect of any breach of planning control if an enforcement notice in respect of the breach is in effect; or
(b) taking further enforcement action in respect of any breach of planning control if, during the period of four years ending with that action being taken, the local planning authority have taken or purported to take enforcement action in respect of that breach.
(1) Where it appears to the local planning authority that there may have been a breach of planning control in respect of any land in England, the authority may apply to a magistrates' court for an order under this subsection (a “planning enforcement order”) in relation to that apparent breach of planning control.
(2) If a magistrates' court makes a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control, the local planning authority may take enforcement action in respect of—
(a) the apparent breach, or
(b) any of the matters constituting the apparent breach,
at any time in the enforcement year.
(3) “The enforcement year” for a planning enforcement order is the year that begins at the end of 22 days beginning with the day on which the court's decision to make the order is given, but this is subject to subsection (4).
(4) If an application under section 111(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (statement of case for opinion of High Court) is made in respect of a planning enforcement order, the enforcement year for the order is the year beginning with the day on which the proceedings arising from that application are finally determined or withdrawn.
(5) Subsection (2)—
(a) applies whether or not the time limits under section 171B have expired, and
(b) does not prevent the taking of enforcement action after the end of the enforcement year but within those time limits.
(1) An application for a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control may be made within the 6 months beginning with the date on which evidence of the apparent breach of planning control sufficient in the opinion of the local planning authority to justify the application came to the authority's knowledge.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a certificate—
(a) signed on behalf of the local planning authority, and
(b) stating the date on which evidence sufficient in the authority's opinion to justify the application came to the authority's knowledge,
is conclusive evidence of that fact.
(3) A certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed is to be deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.
(4) Where the local planning authority apply to a magistrates' court for a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control in respect of any land, the authority must serve a copy of the application—
(a) on the owner and on the occupier of the land, and
(b) on any other person having an interest in the land that is an interest which, in the opinion of the authority, would be materially affected by the taking of enforcement action in respect of the apparent breach.
(5) The persons entitled to appear before, and be heard by, the court hearing an application for a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control in respect of any land include—
(a) the applicant,
(b) any person on whom a copy of the application was served under subsection (4), and
(c) any other person having an interest in the land that is an interest which, in the opinion of the court, would be materially affected by the taking of enforcement action in respect of the apparent breach.
(6) In this section “planning enforcement order” means an order under section 171BA(1).
(1) A magistrates' court may make a planning enforcement order in relation to an apparent breach of planning control only if—
(a) the court is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the apparent breach, or any of the matters constituting the apparent breach, has (to any extent) been deliberately concealed by any person or persons, and
(b) the court considers it just to make the order having regard to all the circumstances.
(2) A planning enforcement order must—
(a) identify the apparent breach of planning control to which it relates, and
(b) state the date on which the court's decision to make the order was given.
(3) In this section “planning enforcement order” means an order under section 171BA(1).
171C Power to require information about activities on land.
(1) Where it appears to the local planning authority that there may have been a breach of planning control in respect of any land, they may serve notice to that effect (referred to in this Act as a “planning contravention notice”) on any person who—
(a) is the owner or occupier of the land or has any other interest in it; or
(b) is carrying out operations on the land or is using it for any purpose.
(2) A planning contravention notice may require the person on whom it is served to give such information as to—
(a) any operations being carried out on the land, any use of the land and any other activities being carried out on the land; and
(b) any matter relating to the conditions or limitations subject to which any planning permission in respect of the land has been granted,
as may be specified in the notice.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), the notice may require the person on whom it is served, so far as he is able—
(a) to state whether or not the land is being used for any purpose specified in the notice or any operations or activities specified in the notice are being or have been carried out on the land;
(b) to state when any use, operations or activities began;
(c) to give the name and postal address of any person known to him to use or have used the land for any purpose or to be carrying out, or have carried out, any operations or activities on the land;
(d) to give any information he holds as to any planning permission for any use or operations or any reason for planning permission not being required for any use or operations;
(e) to state the nature of his interest (if any) in the land and the name and postal address of any other person known to him to have an interest in the land.
(4) A planning contravention notice may give notice of a time and place at which—
(a) any offer which the person on whom the notice is served may wish to make to apply for planning permission, to refrain from carrying out any operations or activities or to undertake remedial works; and
(b) any representations which he may wish to make about the notice,
will be considered by the authority, and the authority shall give him an opportunity to make in person any such offer or representations at that time and place.
(5) A planning contravention notice must inform the person on whom it is served—
(a) of the likely consequences of his failing to respond to the notice and, in particular, that enforcement action may be taken; and
(b) of the effect of section 186(5)(b).
(6) Any requirement of a planning contravention notice shall be complied with by giving information in writing to the local planning authority.
(7) The service of a planning contravention notice does not affect any other power exercisable in respect of any breach of planning control.
(8) In this section references to operations or activities on land include operations or activities in, under or over the land.
171D Penalties for non-compliance with planning contravention notice.
(1) If, at any time after the end of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which a planning contravention notice has been served on any person, he has not complied with any requirement of the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) An offence under subsection (1) may be charged by reference to any day or longer period of time and a person may be convicted of a second or subsequent offence under that subsection by reference to any period of time following the preceding conviction for such an offence.
(3) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply with the requirement.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(5) If any person—
(a) makes any statement purporting to comply with a requirement of a planning contravention notice which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular; or
(b) recklessly makes such a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular,
he shall be guilty of an offence.
(6) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
(1) This section applies if the local planning authority think—
(a) that there has been a breach of planning control in relation to any land, and
(b) that it is expedient that the activity (or any part of the activity) which amounts to the breach is stopped immediately.
(2) The authority may issue a temporary stop notice.
(3) The notice must be in writing and must—
(a) specify the activity which the authority think amounts to the breach;
(b) prohibit the carrying on of the activity (or of so much of the activity as is specified in the notice);
(c) set out the authority’s reasons for issuing the notice.
(4) A temporary stop notice may be served on any of the following—
(a) the person who the authority think is carrying on the activity;
(b) a person who the authority think is an occupier of the land;
(c) a person who the authority think has an interest in the land.
(5) The authority must display on the land—
(a) a copy of the notice;
(b) a statement of the effect of the notice and of section 171G.
(6) A temporary stop notice has effect from the time a copy of it is first displayed in pursuance of subsection (5).
(7) A temporary stop notice ceases to have effect—
(a) at the end of the relevant period starting on the day the copy notice is so displayed,
(b) at the end of such shorter period starting on that day as is specified in the notice, or
(c) if it is withdrawn by the local planning authority.
(8) In subsection (7)(a), “relevant period” means—
(a) in the case of a notice issued by a local planning authority in England, 56 days;
(b) in the case of a notice issued by a local planning authority in Wales, 28 days.
(1) A temporary stop notice does not prohibit—
(a) the use of a building as a dwelling house;
(b) the carrying out of an activity of such description or in such circumstances as is prescribed.
(2) A temporary stop notice does not prohibit the carrying out of any activity which has been carried out (whether or not continuously) for a period of four years ending with the day on which the copy of the notice is first displayed as mentioned in section 171E(6).
(3) Subsection (2) does not prevent a temporary stop notice prohibiting—
(a) activity consisting of or incidental to building, engineering, mining or other operations, or
(b) the deposit of refuse or waste materials.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (2) any period during which the activity is authorised by planning permission must be ignored.
(5) A second or subsequent temporary stop notice must not be issued in respect of the same activity unless the local planning authority has first taken some other enforcement action in relation to the breach of planning control which is constituted by the activity.
(6) In subsection (5) enforcement action includes obtaining the grant of an injunction under section 187B.
(1) A person commits an offence if he contravenes a temporary stop notice—
(a) which has been served on him, or
(b) a copy of which has been displayed in accordance with section 171E(5).
(2) Contravention of a temporary stop notice includes causing or permitting the contravention of the notice.
(3) An offence under this section may be charged by reference to a day or a longer period of time.
(4) A person may be convicted of more than one such offence in relation to the same temporary stop notice by reference to different days or periods of time.
(5) A person does not commit an offence under this section if he proves—
(a) that the temporary stop notice was not served on him, and
(b) that he did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, of its existence.
(6) A person convicted of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
(7) In determining the amount of the fine the court must have regard in particular to any financial benefit which has accrued or has appeared to accrue to the person convicted in consequence of the offence.
(1) This section applies if and only if a temporary stop notice is issued and at least one of the following paragraphs applies—
(a) the activity which is specified in the notice is authorised by planning permission or by a development order, a local development order or a neighbourhood development order;
(b) a certificate in respect of the activity is issued under section 191 or granted under that section by virtue of section 195;
(c) the authority withdraws the notice.
(2) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply if the planning permission is granted on or after the date on which a copy of the notice is first displayed as mentioned in section 171E(6).
(3) Subsection (1)(c) does not apply if the notice is withdrawn following the grant of planning permission as mentioned in subsection (2).
(4) A person who at the time the notice is served has an interest in the land to which the notice relates is entitled to be compensated by the local planning authority in respect of any loss or damage directly attributable to the prohibition effected by the notice.
(5) Subsections (3) to (7) of section 186 apply to compensation payable under this section as they apply to compensation payable under that section; and for that purpose references in those subsections to a stop notice must be taken to be references to a temporary stop notice.