Town and Country Planning Act 1968 PART I New Provisions as to Development Plans Survey and structure plan Survey of planning areas. 1 1 It shall be the duty of the local planning authority to institute a survey of their area, in so far as they have not already done so, examining the matters which may be expected to affect the development of that area or the planning of its development and in any event to keep all such matters under review. 2 Notwithstanding that the local planning authority have carried out their duty under subsection (1) above, the authority may, if they think fit, and shall, if directed to do so by the Minister, institute a fresh survey of their area examining the matters mentioned in that subsection. 3 Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions of this section, the matters to be examined and kept under review thereunder shall include the following, that is to say:— a the principal physical and economic characteristics of the area of the authority (including the principal purposes for which land is used) and, so far as they may be expected to affect that area, of any neighbouring areas; b the size, composition and distribution of the population of that area (whether resident or otherwise); c without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, the communications, transport system and traffic of that area and, so far as they may be expected to affect that area, of any neighbouring areas ; d any considerations not mentioned in any of the foregoing paragraphs which may be expected to affect any matters so mentioned; e such other matters as may be prescribed or as the Minister may in a particular case direct; f any changes already projected in any of the matters mentioned in any of the foregoing paragraphs and the effect which those changes are likely to have on the development of that area or the planning of such development. 4 A local planning authority shall, for the purpose of discharging their functions under this section of examining and keeping under review any matters relating to the area of another such authority, consult with (that other authority about those matters. 5 Subsection (1) above shall, as respects any period during which this section is in operation in part only of the area of a local planning authority, be construed as requiring a local planning authority to institute a survey of that part of that area and to keep under review matters affecting only that part of that area; and subsection (2) above shall, whether or not this section is in operation in the whole of such an area, have effect as if the power thereby conferred included power for a local planning authority to institute, and for the Minister to direct them to institute, a fresh survey of part only of their area; and references in subsection (3) above to the area of a local planning authority or any neighbouring areas shall be construed accordingly. Preparation of structure plans. 2 1 The local planning authority shall, within such period from the commencement of this section within their area as the Minister may direct, prepare and send the Minister a report of their survey under section 1 above and at the same time prepare and submit to him for his approval a structure plan for their area complying with the provisions of subsection (3) below. 2 The said report shall include an estimate of any changes likely to occur during such period as the Minister may direct in the matters mentioned in section 1(3) above; and different periods may be specified by any such direction in relation to different matters. 3 The structure plan for any area shall be a written statement— a formulating the local planning authority's policy and general proposals in respect of the development and other use of land in that area (including measures for the improvement of the physical environment and the management of traffic); b stating the relationship of those proposals to general proposals for the development and other use of land in neighbouring areas which may be expected to affect that area; and c containing such other matters as may be prescribed or as the Minister may in any particular case direct. 4 In formulating their policy and general proposals under subsection (3)(a) above, the local planning authority shall secure that the policy and proposals are justified by the results of their survey under section 1 above and by any other information which they may obtain and shall have regard a to current policies with respect to the economic planning and development of the region as a whole ; b to the resources likely to be available for the carrying out of the proposals of the structure plan ; and c to such other matters as the Minister may direct them to take into account. 5 A local planning authority's general proposals under this section with respect to land in their area shall indicate any part of that area (in this Act referred to as an " action area ") which they have selected for the commencement during a prescribed period of comprehensive treatment, in accordance with a local plan prepared for the selected area as a whole, by development, redevelopment or improvement of the whole or part of the area selected, or partly by one and partly by another method, and the nature of the treatment selected. 6 A structure plan for any area shall contain or be accompanied by such diagrams, illustrations and descriptive matter as the local planning authority think appropriate for the purpose of explaining or illustrating the proposals in the plan, or as may be prescribed, or as may in any particular case be specified in directions given by the Minister ; and any such diagrams, illustrations and descriptive matter shall be treated as forming part of the plan. 7 At any time before the Minister has under section 4 below approved a structure plan with respect to the whole of the area of a local planning authority, the authority may with his consent, and shall, if so directed by him, prepare and submit to him for his approval a structure plan relating to part of that area; and where the Minister has given a consent or direction for the preparation of a structure plan for part of such an area, references in this Part of this Act to such an area shall, in relation to a structure plan, be construed as including references to part of that area. Publicity in connection with preparation of structure plan. 3 1 When preparing a structure plan for their area and before finally determining its content for submission to the Minister, the local planning authority shall take such steps as will in their opinion secure— a that adequate publicity is given in their area to the report of the survey under section 1 above and to the matters which they propose to include in the plan; b that persons who may be expected to desire an opportunity of making representations to the authority with respect to those matters are made aware that they are entitled to an opportunity of doing so; and c that such persons are given an adequate opportunity of making such representations; and the authority shall consider any representations made to them within the prescribed period. 2 Not later than the submission of a structure plan to the Minister, the local planning authority shall make copies of the plan as submitted to the Minister available for inspection at their office and at such other places as may be prescribed; and each copy shall be accompanied by a statement of the time within which objections to the plan may be made to the Minister. 3 A structure plan submitted by the local planning authority to the Minister for his approval shall be accompanied by a statement containing such particulars, if any, as may be prescribed— a of the steps which the authority have taken to comply with subsection (1) above ; and b of the authority's consultations with, and consideration of the views of, other persons with respect to those matters. 4 If after considering the statement submitted with, and the matters included in, the structure plan and any other information provided by the local planning authority, the Minister is satisfied that the purposes of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) above have been adequately achieved by the steps taken by the authority in compliance with that subsection, he shall proceed to consider whether to approve the structure plan; and if he is not so satisfied, he shall return the plan to the authority and direct them— a to take such further action as he may specify in order better to achieve those purposes ; and b after doing so, to resubmit the plan with such modifications, if any, as they then consider appropriate and, if so required by the direction, to do so within a specified period. 5 Where the Minister returns the structure plan to the local planning authority under subsection (4) above, he shall inform the authority of his reasons for doing so and, if any person has made to him an objection to the plan, shall also inform that person that he has returned the plan. 6 A local planning authority who are given directions by the Minister under subsection (4) above shall forthwith withdraw the copies of the plan made available for inspection as required by subsection (2) above. 7 Subsections (2) to (6) of this section shall apply, with the necessary modifications, in relation to a structure plan resubmitted to the Minister in accordance with directions given by him under subsection (4) as they apply in relation to the plan as originally submitted. Approval or rejection of structure plan by Minister. 4 1 The Minister may, after considering a structure plan submitted (or resubmitted) to him, either approve it (in whole or in part and with or without modifications or reservations) or reject it. 2 In considering any such plan the Minister may take into account any matters which he thinks are relevant, whether or not they were taken into account in the plan as submitted to him. 3 Where on taking any such plan into consideration the Minister does not determine then to reject it, he shall, before determining whether or not to approve it,— a consider any objections to the plan, so far as they are made in accordance with regulations under this Part of this Act; b afford to any persons whose objections so made are not withdrawn an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by him for the purpose; and c if a local inquiry or other hearing is held, also afford the like opportunity to the local planning authority and such other persons as he thinks fit. 4 Without prejudice to subsection (3) above, on considering a structure plan the Minister may consult with, or consider the views of, any local planning authority or other persons, but shall not be under an obligation to consult with, or consider the views of, any other authority or persons or, except as provided by that subsection, to afford an opportunity for the making of any objections or other representations, or to cause any local inquiry or other hearing to be held. Alteration of structure plans. 5 1 At any time after the approval of a structure plan for their area a local planning authority may submit to the Minister and shall, if so directed by the Minister, submit to him within a period specified in the direction, proposals for such alterations to that plan as appear to them to be expedient or as the Minister may direct, as the case may be, and any such proposals may relate to the whole or to part of that area. 2 The local planning authority shall send with the proposals submitted by them under this section a report of the results of their review of the relevant matters under section 1 above together with any other information on which the proposals are based, and sections 3 and 4 above shall apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to the proposals as they apply in relation to a structure plan. Local plans Preparation of local plans. 6 1 A local planning authority who are in course of preparing a structure plan for their area, or have prepared for their area a structure plan which has not been approved or rejected by the Minister, may, if they think it desirable, prepare a local plan for any part of that area. 2 Where a structure plan for their area has been approved by the Minister, the local planning authority shall as soon as practicable consider, and thereafter keep under review, the desirability of preparing and, if they consider it desirable and they have not already done so, shall prepare a local plan for any part of the area. 3 A local plan shall consist of a map and a written statement and shall— a formulate in such detail as the authority think appropriate the authority's proposals for the development and other use of land in that part of their area or for any description of development or other use of such land (including in either case such measures as the authority think fit for the improvement of the physical environment and the management of traffic); and b contain such matters as may be prescribed or as the Minister may in any particular case direct. 4 Different local plans may be prepared for different purposes for the same part of any area. 5 A local plan for any area shall contain, or be accompanied by, such diagrams, illustrations and descriptive matter as the local planning authority think appropriate for the purpose of explaining or illustrating the proposals in the plan, or as may be prescribed, or as may in any particular case be specified in directions given by the Minister ; and any such diagrams, illustrations and descriptive matter shall be treated as forming part of the plan. 6 Where an area is indicated as an action area in a structure plan which has been approved by the Minister, the local planning authority shall (if they have not already done so), as soon as practicable after the approval of the plan, prepare a local plan for that area. 7 Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, the local planning authority shall, if the Minister gives them a direction in that behalf with respect to a part of an area for which a structure plan has been, or is in course of being, prepared, as soon as practicable prepare for that part a local plan of such nature as may be specified in the direction. 8 Directions under subsection (7) above may be given by the Minister either before or after he approves the structure plan; but no such directions shall require a local planning authority to take any steps to comply therewith until the structure plan has been approved by him. 9 In formulating their proposals in a local plan the local planning authority shall secure that the proposals conform generally to the structure plan as it stands for the time being (whether or not it has been approved by the Minister) and shall have regard to any information and any other considerations which appear to them to be relevant, or which may be prescribed, or which the Minister may in any particular case direct them to take into account. 10 Before giving a direction under the foregoing provisions of this section to a local planning authority, the Minister shall consult the authority with respect to the proposed direction. 11 Where a local planning authority are required by this section to prepare a local plan, they shall take steps for the adoption of the plan. Publicity in connection with preparation of local plans. 7 1 A local planning authority who propose to prepare a local plan shall take such steps as will in their opinion secure— a that adequate publicity is given in their area to any relevant matter arising out of a survey of the area carried out by them under section 1 of this Act and to the matters proposed to be included in the plan; b that persons who may be expected to desire an opportunity of making representations to the authority with respect to those matters are made aware that they are entitled to an opportunity of doing so ; and c that such persons are given an adequate opportunity of making such representations; and the authority shall consider any representations made to them within the prescribed period. 2 When the local planning authority have prepared a local plan, they shall, before adopting it or submitting it for approval under section 9(4) of this Act (but not before the Minister has approved the structure plan so far as it applies to the area of that local plan), make copies of the local plan available for inspection at their office and at such other places as may be prescribed and send a copy to the Minister; and each copy made available for inspection shall be accompanied by a statement of the time within which objections to the local plan may be made to the authority. 3 A copy of a local plan sent to the Minister under subsection (2) above shall be accompanied by a statement containing such particulars, if any, as may be prescribed— a of the steps which the authority have taken to comply with subsection (1) above ; and b of the authority's consultations with, and their consideration of the views of, other persons. 4 If, on considering the statement submitted with, and the matters included in, the local plan and any other information provided by the local planning authority, the Minister is not satisfied that the purposes of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) above have been adequately achieved by the steps taken by the authority in compliance with that subsection, he may, within twenty-one days, of the receipt of the statement, direct the authority not to take any further steps for the adoption of the plan without taking such further action as he may specify in order better to achieve those purposes and satisfying him that they have done so. 5 A local planning authority who are given directions by the Minister under subsection (4) above shall— a forthwith withdraw the copies of the local plan made available for inspection as required by subsection (2) above, and b notify any person by whom objections to the local plan have been made to the authority that the Minister has given such directions as aforesaid. Inquiries etc. with respect to local plans. 8 1 For the purpose of considering objections made to a local plan the local planning authority may, and shall in the case of objections so made in accordance with regulations under this Part of this Act, cause a local inquiry or other hearing to be held by a person appointed by the Minister or, in such cases as may be prescribed by regulations under this Part of this Act, by the authority themselves, and— a section 290(2) and (3) of the Local Government Act 1933 (power to summon and examine witnesses) shall apply to an inquiry held under this section as it applies to an inquiry held under that section ; b the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1958 shall apply to a local inquiry or other hearing held under this section as it applies to a statutory inquiry held by the Minister, but as if in section 12(1) of that Act (statement of reasons for decisions) the reference to any decision taken by the Minister were a reference to a decision taken by a local authority. 2 Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) above may— a make provision with respect to the appointment and qualifications for appointment of persons to hold a local inquiry or other hearing under that subsection, including provision enabling the Minister to direct a local planning authority to appoint a particular person, or one of a specified list or class of persons ; b make provision with respect to the remuneration and allowances of a person appointed for the said purpose. Adoption and approval of local plans. 9 1 After the expiry of the period afforded for making objections to a local plan or, if such objections have been duly made during that period, after considering the objections so made, the local planning authority may, subject to section 7 above and subsections (2) and (3) below, by resolution adopt the plan either as originally prepared or as modified so as to take account of any such objections or of any matters arising out of such objections. 2 The local planning authority shall not adopt a local plan unless it conforms generally to the structure plan as approved by the Minister. 3 After copies of a local plan have been sent to the Minister and before the plan has been adopted by the local planning authority, the Minister may direct that the plan shall not have effect unless approved by him. 4 Where the Minister gives a direction under subsection (3) above, the local planning authority shall submit the plan accordingly to him for his approval, and— a section 4 above shall, subject to paragraph (b) below, apply in relation to the plan as it applies in relation to a structure plan ; b before deciding whether or not to approve the plan the Minister shall not be obliged to consider any objections thereto if objections thereto have been considered by the authority, or to cause an inquiry or other hearing to be held into the plan if any such inquiry or hearing has already been held at the instance of the authority; and c after the giving of the direction the authority shall have no further power or duty to hold a local inquiry or other hearing under section 8 above in connection with the plan. Alteration of local plans. 10 1 A local planning authority may at any time make proposals for the alteration, repeal or replacement of a local plan adopted by them and may at any time, with the consent of the Minister, make proposals for the alteration, repeal or replacement of a local plan approved by him. 2 Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, a local planning authority shall, if the Minister gives them a direction in that behalf with respect to a local plan adopted by them or approved by him, as soon as practicable prepare proposals of a kind specified in the direction, being proposals for the alteration, repeal or replacement of the plan. 3 The provisions of sections 6(9) to (11), 7, 8 and 9 above shall apply in relation to the making of proposals for the alteration, repeal or replacement of a local plan under this section, and to alterations to a local plan so proposed, as they apply in relation to the preparation of a local plan under the said section 6 and to a local plan prepared thereunder, but as if the reference in section 9(4)(a) to section 4 above were a reference to section 5 above. Supplementary provisions Disregarding of representations with respect to development authorised by or under other enactments. 11 Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Act, neither the Minister nor a local planning authority shall be required to consider representations or objections with respect to a structure plan, a local plan or any proposal to alter, repeal or replace any such plan if it appears to the Minister or the authority, as the case may be, that those representations or objections are in substance representations or objections with respect to things done or proposed to be done in pursuance of— a an order or scheme under section 7, 9, 11 or 13 of the Highways Act 1959 (trunk road orders, special road schemes and ancillary orders), or under any enactment repealed by that Act making provision corresponding to any of those sections ; b an order under section 1 of the New Towns Act 1946 or 1965 (designation of sites of new towns). Default powers of Minister. 12 1 Where, by virtue of any of the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act, any survey is required to be carried out, or any structure or local plan or proposals for the alteration, repeal or replacement thereof are required to be prepared or submitted to the Minister, or steps are required to be taken for the adoption of any such plan or proposals, then— a if at any time the Minister is satisfied, after holding a local inquiry or other hearing, that the local planning authority are not carrying out the survey or are not taking the steps necessary to enable them to submit or adopt such a plan or proposals within a reasonable period; or b in a case where a period is specified for the submission or adoption of any such plan or proposals, if no such plan or proposals have been submitted or adopted within that period, the Minister may carry out the survey or prepare and make a structure plan or local plan or, as the case may be, alter, repeal or replace it, as he thinks fit. 2 Where under subsection (1) above the Minister has power to do anything which should have been done by a local planning authority, he may, if he thinks fit, authorise any other local planning authority who appear to the Minister to have an interest in the proper planning of the area of the first-mentioned authority to do that thing. 3 Where under this section anything which ought to have been done by a local planning authority is done by the Minister or another such authority, the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act shall, so far as applicable, apply with any necessary modifications in relation to the doing of that thing by the Minister and the latter authority and the thing so done. 4 Where the Minister incurs expenses under this section in connection with the doing of anything which should have been done by a local planning authority, so much of those expenses as may be certified by the Minister to have been incurred in the performance of functions of that authority shall on demand be repaid by that authority to the Minister. 5 Where under this section anything which should have been done by one local planning authority is done by another such authority, any expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the doing of that thing by the latter authority, as certified by the Minister, shall be repaid to the latter authority by the former authority. Supplementary provisions as to structure and local plans. 13 1 Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act, the Minister may make regulations with respect to the form and content of structure and local plans and with respect to the procedure to be followed in connection with their preparation, submission, withdrawal, approval, adoption, making, alteration, repeal and replacement; and in particular any such regulations may— a provide for the publicity to be given to the report of any survey carried out by a local planning authority under section 1 of this Act; b provide for the notice to be given of, or the publicity to be given to, matters included or proposed to be included in any such plan, and the approval, adoption or making of any such plan or any alteration, repeal or replacement thereof or to any other prescribed procedural step, and for publicity to be given to the procedure to be followed as aforesaid; c make provision with respect to the making and consideration of representations with respect to matters to be included in, or objections to, any such plan or proposals for its alteration, repeal or replacement; d without prejudice to paragraph (b) above, provide for notice to be given to particular persons of the approval, adoption or alteration of any plan, if they have objected to the plan and have notified the local planning authority of their wish to receive notice, subject (if the regulations so provide) to the payment of a reasonable charge for receiving it; e require or authorise a local planning authority to consult with, or consider the views of, other persons before taking any prescribed procedural step ; f require a local planning authority, in such cases as may be prescribed or in such particular cases as the Minister may direct, to provide persons making a request in that behalf with copies of any plan or document which has been made public for the purpose mentioned in section 3(1)(a) or 7(1)(a) of this Act or has been made available for inspection under section 3(2) or 7(2) of this Act, subject (if the regulations so provide) to the payment of a reasonable charge therefor; g provide for the publication and inspection of any structure plan or local plan which has been approved, adopted or made, or any document approved, adopted or made altering, repealing or replacing any such plan, and for copies of any such plan or document to be made available on sale. 2 Regulations under this section may extend throughout England and Wales or to specified areas only and may make different provisions for different cases. 3 Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act and to any regulations under this section, the Minister may give directions to any local planning authority, or to local planning authorities generally,— a for formulating the procedure for the carrying out of their functions under this Part of this Act; b for requiring them to give him such information as he may require for carrying out any of his functions under this Part of this Act. 4 Subject to the provisions of section 176 of the principal Act (validity of development plans etc.), a structure plan or local plan or any alteration, repeal or replacement thereof shall become operative on a date appointed for the purpose in the relevant notice of approval, resolution of adoption or notice of the making, alteration, repeal or replacement of the plan. Application to Greater London. 14 In their application to Greater London the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act shall have effect subject to the provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act. PART II Enforcement of Planning Control Enforcement notices New provision as to enforcement notices. 15 1 Where it appears to the local planning authority that there has been a breach of planning control after the end of 1963, then, subject to any directions given by the Minister and to the following provisions of this section, the authority, if they consider it expedient to do so having regard to the provisions of the development plan and to any other material considerations, may serve a notice under this section (in this Act and the principal Act referred to as an " enforcement notice ") requiring the breach to be remedied. 2 There is a breach of planning control if development has been carried out, whether before or after the commencement of this Part of this Act, without the grant of planning permission required in that behalf in accordance with Part III of the principal Act, or if any conditions or limitations subject to which planning permission was granted have not been complied with. 3 Where an enforcement notice relates to a breach of planning control consisting in— a the carrying out without planning permission of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land ; or b the failure to comply with any condition or limitation which relates to the carrying out of such operations and subject to which planning permission was granted for the development of that land ; or c the making without planning permission of a change of use of any building to use as a single dwelling-house, it may be served only within the period of four years from the date of the breach. 4 An enforcement notice shall be served on the owner and on the occupier of the land to which it relates and on any other person having an interest in that land, being an interest which in the opinion of the authority is materially affected by the notice. 5 An enforcement notice shall specify— a the matters alleged to constitute a breach of planning control; b the steps required by the authority to be taken in order to remedy the breach, that is to say steps for the purpose of restoring the land to its condition before the development took place or (according to the particular circumstances of the breach) of securing compliance with the conditions or limitations subject to which planning permission was granted ; and c the period for compliance with the notice, that is to say the period (beginning with the date when the notice takes effect) within which those steps are required to be taken. 6 The steps which may be required by an enforcement notice to be taken include the demolition or alteration of any buildings or works, the discontinuance of any use of land, or the carrying out on land of any building or other operations. 7 Subject to section 16 below, an enforcement notice shall take effect at the end of such period, not less than twenty-eight days after the service of the notice, as may be specified in the notice. 8 The local planning authority may withdraw an enforcement notice (without prejudice to their power to serve another) at any time before it takes effect; and, if they do so, they shall forthwith give notice of the withdrawal to every person who was served with the notice. Appeal against enforcement notice. 16 1 A person on whom an enforcement notice is served or any other person having an interest in the land may, at any time within the period specified in the notice as the period at the end of which it is to take effect, appeal to the Minister against the notice on any of the following grounds:— a that planning permission ought to be granted for the development to which the notice relates or, as the case may be, that a condition or limitation alleged in the enforcement notice not to have been complied with ought to be discharged ; b that the matters alleged in the notice do not constitute a breach of planning control; c in the case of a notice which, by virtue of section 15(3) above, may be served only within the period of four years from the date of the breach of planning control to which the notice relates, that that period has elapsed at the date of service ; d in the case of a notice not falling within paragraph (c) above, that the breach of planning control alleged by the notice occurred before the beginning of 1964 ; e that the enforcement notice was not served as required by section 15(4) of this Act; f that the steps required by the notice to be taken exceed what is necessary to remedy any breach of planning control; g that the specified period for compliance with the notice falls short of what should reasonably be allowed. 2 An appeal under this section shall be made by notice in writing to the Minister, which shall indicate the grounds of the appeal and state the facts on which it is based; and on any such appeal the Minister shall, if either the appellant or the local planning authority so desire, afford to each of them an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Minister for the purpose. 3 Where an appeal is brought under this section, the enforcement notice shall be of no effect pending the final determination or the withdrawal of the appeal. 4 On an appeal under this section— a the Minister may correct any informality, defect or error in the enforcement notice if he is satisfied that the informality, defect or error is not material; b in a case where it would otherwise be a ground for determining the appeal in favour of the appellant that a person required by section 15(4) of this Act to be served with the notice was not served, the Minister may disregard that fact if neither the appellant nor that person has been substantially prejudiced by the failure to serve him. 5 On the determination of an appeal under this section, the Minister shall give directions for giving effect to his determination, including, where appropriate, directions for quashing the enforcement notice or for varying the terms of the notice in favour of the appellant; and the Minister may— a grant planning permission for the development to which the enforcement notice relates or, as the case may be, discharge any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission for that development was granted; b determine any purpose for which the land may, in the circumstances obtaining at the time of the determination, be lawfully used having regard to any past use thereof and to any planning permission relating to the land. 6 In considering whether to grant planning permission under subsection (5) above, the Minister shall have regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the subject-matter of the enforcement notice, and to any other material considerations ; and any planning permission granted by him under that subsection may— a include permission to retain or complete any buildings or works on the land, or to do so without complying with some condition attached to a previous planning permission; b be granted subject to such conditions as the Minister thinks fit; and where under that subsection he discharges a condition or limitation, he may substitute another condition or limitation for it, whether more or less onerous. 7 Where an appeal against an enforcement notice is brought under this section, the appellant shall be deemed to have made an application for planning permission for the development to which the notice relates and, in relation to any exercise by the Minister of his powers under subsection (5) above, the following provisions shall have effect:— a any planning permission granted thereunder shall be treated as granted on the said application ; b in relation to a grant of planning permission or a determination under that subsection, the Minister's decision shall be final; and c for the purposes of section 19(4) of the principal Act (local planning authority's register of planning applications), the decision shall be treated as having been given by the Minister in dealing with an application for planning permission made to the local planning authority. Established use Certification of established use. 17 1 For the purposes of this Part of this Act, a use of land is established if— a it was begun before the beginning of 1964 without planning permission in that behalf and has continued since the end of 1963 ; or b it was begun before the beginning of 1964 under a planning permission in that behalf granted subject to conditions or limitations, which either have never been complied with or have not been complied with since the end of 1963 ; or c it was begun after the end of 1963 as the result of a change of use not requiring planning permission and there has been, since the end of 1963, no change of use requiring planning permission. 2 Where a person having an interest in land claims that a particular use of it has become established, he may apply to the local planning authority for a certificate (in this Act referred to as an " established use certificate ") to that effect: Provided that no such application may be made in respect of the use of land as a single dwelling-house, or of any use not subsisting at the time of the application. 3 An established use certificate may be granted (either by the local planning authority or, under section 18 below, by the Minister)— a either for the whole of the land specified in the application, or for a part of it; or b in the case of an application specifying two or more uses, either for all those uses or for some one or more of them. 4 On an application to them under this section., the local planning authority shall, if and so far as they are satisfied that the applicant's claim is made out, grant to him an established use certificate accordingly; and if and so far as they are not so satisfied, they shall refuse the application. 5 Where an application is made to a local planning authority for an established use certificate, then unless within such period as may be prescribed by a development order, or within such extended period as may at any time be agreed upon in writing between the applicant and the local planning authority, the authority give notice to the applicant of their decision on the application, then, for the purposes of section 18(2) below, the application shall be deemed to be refused. 6 Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect with respect to established use certificates and applications therefor and to appeals under section 18 below. 7 An established use certificate shall, as respects any matters stated therein, be conclusive for the purposes of an appeal to the Minister against an enforcement notice served in respect of any land to which the certificate relates, but only where the notice is served after the date of the application on which the certificate was granted. 8 If any person, for the purpose of procuring a particular decision on an application (whether by himself or another) for an established use certificate or on an appeal arising out of such an application,— a knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is false in a material particular ; or b with intent to deceive, produces, furnishes, sends or otherwise makes use of any document which is false in a material particular ; or c with intent to deceive, withholds any material information, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400 or, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine, or both. Grant of certificate by Minister on referred application or appeal against refusal. 18 1 The Minister may give directions requiring applications for established use certificates to be referred to him instead of being dealt with by local planning authorities; and, on any such application being referred to him in accordance with such directions, section 17(4) above shall apply in relation to the Minister as it applies in relation to the local planning authority in the case of an application determined by them. 2 Where an application is made to a local planning authority for an established use certificate and is refused, or is refused in part, the applicant may by notice under this subsection appeal to the Minister; and on any such appeal the Minister shall— a if and so far as he is satisfied that the authority's refusal is not well-founded, grant to the appellant an established use certificate accordingly or, as the case may be, modify the certificate granted by the authority on the application; and b if and so far as he is satisfied that the authority's refusal is well-founded, dismiss the appeal. 3 On an application referred to him under subsection (1) above or on an appeal to him under subsection (2) above, the Minister may, in respect of any use of land for which an established use certificate is not granted (either by him or by the local planning authority), grant planning permission for that use or, as the case may be, for the continuance of that use without complying with some condition subject to which a previous planning permission was granted. 4 Before determining an application or appeal under this section the Minister shall, if either the applicant or appellant (as the case may be) or the local planning authority so desire, afford to each of them an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the Minister for the purpose. 5 The decision of the Minister on an application referred to him, or on an appeal, under this section shall be final. 6 In the case of any use of land for which the Minister has power to grant planning permission under this section, the applicant or appellant shall be deemed to have made an application for such planning permission; and any planning permission so granted shall be treated as granted on the said application. Stop notices Power to stop further development pending proceedings on enforcement notice. 19 1 Where in respect of any land the local planning authority have served an enforcement notice, they may at any time before the notice takes effect serve a further notice (in this Act referred to as a " stop notice ") referring to, and having annexed to it a copy of, the enforcement notice and prohibiting any person on whom the stop notice is served from carrying out or continuing any specified operations on the land, being operations either alleged in the enforcement notice to constitute a breach of planning control or so closely associated therewith as to constitute substantially the same operations. 2 The operations which may be the subject of a stop notice shall include the deposit of refuse or waste materials on land where that is a breach of planning control alleged in the enforcement notice. 3 A stop notice may be served by the local planning authority on any person who appears to them to have an interest in the land or to be concerned with the carrying out or continuance of any operations thereon. 4 A stop notice— a shall specify the date (not earlier than three nor later than fourteen days from the day on which the notice is first served on any person) when it is to take effect; b in relation to any person served with it, shall have effect as from that date or the third day after the date of service on him, whichever is the later; and c shall, without prejudice to subsection (7) below, cease to have effect when the enforcement notice takes effect or is withdrawn or quashed. 5 If while a stop notice has effect in relation to him a person carries out, or causes or permits to be carried out, any operations prohibited by the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than £400, or on conviction on indictment to a fine; and if the offence is continued after conviction he shall be liable on summary conviction to a further fine of not more than £50 for every day on which it is continued, or on conviction on indictment to a further fine. 6 A stop notice shall not be invalid by reason that the enforcement notice to which it relates was not served as required by section 15(4) of this Act if it is shown that the local planning authority took all such steps as were reasonably practicable to effect proper service. 7 The local planning authority may at any time withdraw a stop notice (without prejudice to their power to serve another) by serving notice to that effect on persons who were served with the stop notice, which shall cease to have effect as from the date of service of the notice under this subsection. 8 Where a person (in this subsection called " the contractor ") is under contract to another person (in this subsection called " the developer ") to carry out any operations on land and— a a stop notice takes effect (whether in relation to the developer or the contractor, or both) prohibiting the carrying out or continuance of those operations; and b the operations are countermanded or discontinued by the contractor accordingly, then, unless and in so far as the contract makes provision explicitly to the contrary of this subsection, the developer shall be under the same liability in contract as if the operations had been countermanded or discontinued on instructions given by him in breach of the contract. This subsection applies only to contracts entered into on or before the end of 1969, whether before or after the commencement of this section. Compensation for loss due to stop notice. 20 1 Where a stop notice ceases to have effect, a person who, at the time when it was first served, had an interest in the land to which it relates shall, in any of the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) below, be entitled to be compensated by the local planning authority in respect of any loss or damage directly attributable to the prohibition contained in the notice. 2 A person shall be entitled to compensation under subsection (1) above in respect of a prohibition contained in a stop notice in any of the following circumstances :— a the enforcement notice is quashed on any of the grounds mentioned in paragraph (b), (c), (d) or (e) of section 16(1) above; b the allegation in the enforcement notice on which the prohibition in the stop notice is dependent is not upheld by reason that the enforcement notice is varied on one of those grounds ; c the enforcement notice is withdrawn by the local planning authority otherwise than in consequence of the grant by them of planning permission for the development to which the notice relates or for its retention or continuance without compliance with a condition or limitation subject to which a previous planning permission was granted ; d the stop notice is withdrawn. 3 A prohibition in a stop notice shall be treated for the purposes of subsection (2) above as dependent on an allegation in an enforcement notice if and to the extent that the operations to which the prohibition in the stop notice relates are the same as those alleged in the enforcement notice to constitute a breach of planning control or are so closely associated therewith as to constitute substantially the same operations. 4 A claim for compensation under this section shall be made to the local planning authority within the time and in the manner prescribed by regulations under the principal Act. 5 The loss or damage in respect of which compensation is payable under this section in respect of a prohibition shall include a sum payable in respect of a breach of contract caused by the taking of action necessary to comply with the prohibition or of any liability arising by virtue of section 19(8) of this Act. PART III Appeals Determination of planning and similar appeals by persons appointed by the Minister. 21 1 An appeal to which this section applies, being an appeal of a prescribed class, shall, except in such classes of case as may for the time being be prescribed or as may be specified in directions given by the Minister, be determined by a person appointed by the Minister for the purpose instead of by the Minister. 2 This section applies to— a appeals under section 23 of the principal Act (planning decisions), as originally enacted or as applied by or under any other provision of that Act; b appeals under section 14 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967 (default powers and appeals in connection with tree preservation orders); c appeals under section 16 of this Act, as originally enacted or as applied by regulations under any provision of the principal Act; d appeals under section 18(2) of this Act; e appeals under Schedule 5 to this Act. 3 Regulations made for the purpose of this section may provide for the giving of publicity to any directions given by the Minister under subsection (1) above. 4 Subsection (1) above shall not affect any provision contained in this Act or the principal Act or any instrument thereunder that an appeal shall lie to, or a notice of appeal shall be served on, the Minister. 5 A person appointed under this Part of this Act to determine an appeal shall have the like powers and duties in relation to the appeal as the Minister under whichever are relevant of the following provisions, that is to say— a in relation to appeals under section 23 of the principal Act, subsections (4) and (6) of that section; b in relation to appeals under section 14 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967, sections 16(4) and (5) above ; c in relation to appeals under section 16 of this Act, subsections (4) to (6) of that section; d in relation to appeals under section 18 of this Act, subsections (2) and (3) of that section ; e in relation to appeals under paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 to this Act, sub-paragraph (3) of that paragraph; f in relation to appeals under paragraph 18 of that Schedule, sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) of that paragraph. 6 The provisions of section 23(5) of the principal Act, sections 16(2) and 18(4) above and paragraphs 7(4) and 18(2) of the said Schedule 5, relating to the affording of an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the Minister, shall not apply to an appeal which falls to be determined by a person appointed under this Part of this Act, but before the determination of any such appeal the Minister shall ask the applicant or appellant, as the case may require, and the local planning authority whether they wish to appear before and be heard by the person so appointed, and— a the appeal may be determined without a hearing of the parties if both of them express a wish not to appear and be heard as aforesaid ; and b the person so appointed shall, if either of the parties expresses a wish to appear and be heard, afford to both of them an opportunity of so doing. 7 Where an appeal to which this section applies has been determined by a person appointed under this Part of this Act, his decision shall be treated as that of the Minister and— a except as provided by Part XI of the principal Act, the validity of his decision shall not be questioned in any proceedings whatsoever; b it shall not be a ground of application to the High Court under section 179 of that Act, or of appeal to the High Court under section 180 or 181 thereof, that the appeal ought to have been determined by the Minister and not by that person, unless the challenge to the person's power to determine the appeal was made (either by the appellant or the local planning authority) before his decision on the appeal was given. 8 Where in any enactment (including this Act) there is a reference to the Minister in a context relating or capable of relating to an appeal to which this section applies, or to any thing done or authorised or required to be done by, to or before the Minister on or in connection with any such appeal, then so far as the context permits it shall be construed, in relation to an appeal determined or falling to be determined by a person appointed under this Part of this Act, as a reference to that person. Determination of appeals by the Minister. 22 1 The Minister may, if he thinks fit, direct that an appeal which, by virtue of section 21 above and apart from this subsection, falls to be determined by a person appointed by the Minister shall instead be determined by the Minister. 2 A direction under this section shall state the reasons for which it is given and shall be served on the person, if any, so appointed, the applicant or appellant, the local planning authority and any person who has made representations relating to the subject matter of the appeal which the authority are required to take into account under section 17(3)(a) of the principal Act (representations by owners and agricultural tenants). 3 Where in consequence of a direction under this section an appeal to which section 21 above applies falls to be determined by the Minister, whichever of the following provisions are relevant, that is to say those of— the principal Act; section 16 of this Act; section 18(2) to (5) of this Act; Part I of Schedule 5 to this Act; and section 14 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967, shall, subject to the following provisions of this section, apply to the appeal as if section 21 above had never applied thereto. 4 Where in consequence of a direction under this section the Minister determines an appeal himself, he shall afford to the applicant or appellant, the local planning authority and any person who has made any such representations as aforesaid an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Minister for that purpose either— a if the reasons for the direction raise matters with respect to which either the applicant or appellant, or the local planning authority or any such person, have not made representations; or b if the applicant or appellant or the local planning authority had not been asked in pursuance of section 21(6) above whether they wished to appear before and be heard by a person appointed to hear the appeal, or had been asked that question and had expressed no wish in answer thereto, or had expressed a wish to appear and be heard as aforesaid, but had not been afforded an opportunity of doing so. 5 Except as provided by subsection (4) above, where the Minister determines an appeal in consequence of a direction under this section, he shall not be obliged to afford any person an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed for the purpose, or of making fresh representations or making or withdrawing any representations already made; and in determining the appeal the Minister may take into account any report made to him by any person previously appointed to determine it. Appointment of another person to determine an appeal. 23 1 Where the Minister has appointed a person to determine an appeal under section 21 above, the Minister may, at any time before the determination of the appeal, appoint another person to determine it instead of the first-mentioned person. 2 If before the appointment of a person under this section to determine an appeal, the Minister had with reference to the person previously appointed, asked the question referred to in section 21(6) above, the question need not be asked again with reference to the person appointed under this section and any answers to the question shall be treated as given with reference to him, but— a the consideration of the appeal or any inquiry or other hearing in connection therewith, if already begun, shall be begun afresh ; and b it shall not be necessary to afford any person an opportunity of making fresh representations or modifying or withdrawing any representations already made. Local inquiries and hearings. 24 1 A person appointed under this Part of this Act to determine an appeal may (whether or not the parties have asked for an opportunity to appear and be heard) hold a local inquiry in connection with the appeal and shall hold such an inquiry if the Minister directs him to do so. 2 Subject to subsection (3) below, the costs— a of any hearing held by virtue of section 21 (6) (b) above ; and b of any inquiry held by virtue of this section, shall be defrayed by the Minister. 3 Subsections (2) to (5) of section 290 of the Local Government Act 1933 (evidence and costs at local inquiries) shall apply in relation to an inquiry held under this section as they apply in relation to an inquiry caused to be held by a department under subsection (1) of that section, with the substitution for references to a department (other than the first reference in subsection (4)) of references to the Minister. Stopping of appeals. 25 If before or during the determination, whether by the Minister or otherwise, of an appeal under section 23 of the principal Act (appeals against planning decisions) in respect of an application for planning permission to develop land, the Minister forms the opinion that, having regard to the provisions of sections 17(1), 18(1) and 38 of that Act (planning permission and industrial development certificates), of section 1(3) of the Control of Office and Industrial Development Act 1965 (office development permits) and of the development order and to any directions given under that order, planning permission for that development— a could not have been granted by the local planning authority; or b could not have been granted by.them otherwise than subject to the conditions imposed by them, he may decline to determine the appeal or to proceed with the determination or, as the case may be, may direct that the determination shall not be begun or proceeded with. Supplementary. 26 1 The Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1958 shall apply to a local inquiry or other hearing held in pursuance of this Part of this Act as it applies to a statutory inquiry held by the Minister, but as if in section 12(1) of that Act (statement of reasons for decisions) the reference to any decision taken by the Minister were a reference to a decision taken by a person appointed to determine the relevant appeal under this Part of this Act. 2 The functions of determining an appeal and doing anything in connection therewith conferred by this Part of this Act on a person appointed to determine an appeal thereunder who is an officer of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government or the Welsh Office shall be treated for the purposes of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967— a if he was appointed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, as functions of that Ministry ; and b if he was appointed by the Secretary of State, as functions of the Welsh Office. PART IV Acquisition and Disposal of Land Land acquisition by government departments and local authorities Repeal of existing provisions for compulsory acquisition of land. 27 Section 67 of the principal Act (compulsory acquisition of designated land by Ministers, local authorities and statutory undertakers) and section 68 of that Act (compulsory acquisition by local authorities of land for development) shall cease to have effect, and section 47 of the Post Office Act 1953 shall cease to have effect so far as it authorises the Postmaster General to acquire land compulsorily; and— a sections 28 and 29 below shall have effect instead of those sections; and b references in any other enactment to the designation in a development plan of land as land subject to compulsory acquisition and to land so designated shall cease to have effect. Compulsory acquisition of land in connection with development and for other planning purposes. 28 1 The Minister may authorise a local authority to whom this section applies to acquire compulsorily any land within their area if he is satisfied— a that the land is required in order to secure the treatment as a whole, by development, redevelopment or improvement, or partly by one and partly by another method, of the land or of any area in which the land is situated; or b that it is expedient in the public interest that the land should be held together with land so required ; or c that the land is required for development or redevelopment, or both, as a whole for the purpose of providing for the relocation of population or industry or the replacement of open space in the course of the redevelopment or improvement, or both, of another area as a whole ; or d that it is expedient to acquire the land immediately for a purpose which it is necessary to achieve in the interests of the proper planning of an area in which the land is situated. 2 Where under subsection (1) above the Minister has power to authorise a local authority to whom this section applies to acquire any land compulsorily he may, after the requisite consultation, authorise the land to be so acquired by another authority, being a local authority within the meaning of the principal Act. 3 Before giving an authorisation under subsection (2) above the Minister shall— a where the land is in a county borough, consult with the council of the borough; b where the land is in a county district, consult with the councils of the county and the county district; c where the land is in a London borough, consult with the council of the borough and with the Greater London Council. 4 The Act of 1946 shall apply to the compulsory acquisition of land under this section and accordingly shall have effect as if this section had been in force immediately before the commencement of that Act. 5 The local authorities to whom this section applies are the councils of counties, county boroughs, and county districts, the Greater London Council and councils of London boroughs. Compulsory acquisition of land by certain Ministers. 29 1 The Minister of Public Building and Works may acquire compulsorily any land necessary for the public service. 2 The Postmaster General may acquire compulsorily any land required for the purposes of the Post Office as defined in section 87 of the Post Office Act 1953. 3 The power of acquiring land compulsorily under this section shall include power to acquire an easement or other right over land by the grant of a new right: Provided that this subsection shall not apply to an easement or other right over any land which would for the purposes of the Act of 1946 form part of a common, open space or fuel or field garden allotment. 4 The Act of 1946 shall apply to any compulsory acquisition by the Minister of Public Building and Works or the Postmaster General under this section as it applies to a compulsory acquisition by another Minister in a case falling within section 1(1) of that Act. Power of authorities possessing compulsory purchase powers to make general vesting declarations. 30 1 Schedule 3 to this Act (which makes provision corresponding to sections 9, 10, 11(1), 24 and 93 of the Land Commission Act 1967) shall have effect for the purpose of enabling any authority to whom this section applies to vest in themselves by a declaration land which they are authorised by a compulsory purchase order to acquire and with respect to the effect of such a declaration, the payment and recovery of sums in respect of compensation for the acquisition of land so vested and other matters connected therewith. 2 This section applies to any Minister or local or other public authority authorised to acquire land by means of a compulsory purchase order, and any such authority is in the said Schedule 3 referred to as an acquiring authority. Compulsory purchase or appropriation of open spaces. 31 1 In paragraph 11 of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1946 (which applies special parliamentary procedure in the case of compulsory purchase of land forming part of a common, open space, etc., and is applied by section 73 of the principal Act to appropriation of land by local authorities under that section), in sub-paragraph (1)(b) (exemption where land is required for widening of an existing highway and the Minister certifies that it is unnecessary to give land in exchange), for the words " that the land is " there shall be substituted the words " that the land does not exceed 250 square yards in extent or is ". 2 Nothing in this section applies to or affects an order made before the commencement of this section. Grounds on which Minister may refuse to confirm purchase notice. 32 1 This section shall have effect where, on an application for planning permission to develop any land which has a restricted use by virtue of a previous planning permission, permission is refused or granted subject to conditions and an owner of the land serves a purchase notice under section 129 of the principal Act. 2 For the purposes of this section, land is to be treated as having a restricted use by virtue of a previous planning permission if it is part of a larger area in respect of which planning permission was previously granted (and has not been revoked) and either— a it remains a condition of the planning permission (how ever expressed) that that part shall remain undeveloped or be preserved or laid out in a particular way as amenity land in relation to the remainder; or b the planning permission was granted on an application which contemplated (expressly or by necessary implication) that the part should not be comprised in the development for which planning permission was sought, or should be preserved or laid out as aforesaid. 3 If a copy of the purchase notice is transmitted to the Minister under section 130(3) of the principal Act (action to be taken by council on whom a purchase notice is served, when they are unwilling to comply with the notice) the Minister, although satisfied that the land has become incapable of reasonably beneficial use in its existing state, shall nevertheless not be required under section 132(1) of the Act to confirm the notice if it appears to him that the land ought, in accordance with the previous planning permission, to remain undeveloped or, as the case may be, remain or be preserved or laid out as amenity land in relation to the remainder of the larger area for which that planning permission was granted. Planning blight New descriptions of land qualifying for protection. 33 1 Section 138(1) of the principal Act (land affected by planning proposals and qualifying for protection under sections 139 to 151 of that Act) shall have effect as if the land specified therein included land which— a is land indicated in a structure plan in force for the district in which it is situated either as land which may be required for the purposes of any functions of a government department, local authority or statutory undertakers, or of the National Coal Board, or as land which may be included in an action area ; or b is land allocated for the purposes of any such functions by a local plan in force for the district or is land defined in such a plan as the site of proposed development for the purposes of any such functions; or c is land in respect of which a compulsory purchase order is in force, where the appropriate authority have power to serve, but have not served, notice to treat in respect of the land ; or d is land on which the Minister of Transport or, in Wales, the Secretary of State proposes to provide a trunk road or a special road and has given to the local planning authority written notice of his intention to provide the road, together with maps or plans sufficient to identify the proposed route of the road. 2 Subsection (1)(a) above shall not apply to land situated in a district for which a local plan is in force, where that plan— a allocates any land in the district for the purposes of such functions as are mentioned in that paragraph; or b defines any land in the district as the site of proposed development for the purposes of any such functions. 3 In section 139 of the principal Act (notice requiring purchase of claimant's interest on ground of planning blight), " the relevant date "— a in relation to land mentioned in subsection (1)(c) above, means the date when the order for its compulsory purchase was confirmed or made by the Minister ; and b in relation to land mentioned in subsection (1)(d) above, means the date on which the Minister of Transport or the Secretary of State gave to the local planning authority the written notice specified in that paragraph. 4 Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) above shall have effect instead of paragraphs (a) and (b) of the said section 138(1). Power of mortgagee to serve blight notice. 34 1 The provisions of this section shall have effect for enabling mortgagees to take advantage of the provisions of sections 138 to 151 of the principal Act (notice requiring purchase by local planning authority on grounds of planning blight). 2 Where the whole or part of a hereditament or agricultural unit is comprised in land of any of the descriptions contained in paragraphs (b) to (f) of section 138(1) of the principal Act or paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 33(1) of this Act and a person claims that— a that 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; and b since the relevant date (within the meaning of section 139 of the principal Act or, as the case may be, section 33(3) of this Act) he has made reasonable endeavours to sell that interest; and c he has been unable to sell it 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 comprised in land of any of the said descriptions, 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, sections 138 to 151 of the principal Act. 3 Subsection (2) above 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 entirety of a hereditament or agricultural unit: Provided that this subsection shall not enable a person— a if his interest as mortgagee is in the entirety 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 entirety of that part. 4 Notice under this section shall not be served unless one or other of the following conditions is satisfied with regard to the interest which the mortgagee claims he has the power to sell:— a the interest could be the subject of a notice under section 139 of the principal Act served by the person entitled thereto on the date of service of the notice under this section ; or b the interest 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 If any question arises which authority are the appropriate authority for the purposes of subsection (2) above, subsection (4)(b) above shall then 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. 6 No notice under this section shall be served in respect of a hereditament or agricultural unit, or any part of a hereditament or agricultural unit, at a time when a notice already served under section 139 of the principal Act is outstanding with respect to the hereditament, unit or part; and no notice shall be so served under section 139 of that Act at a time when a notice already served under this section is so outstanding. 7 For the purposes of subsection (6) above, a notice served under this section or section 139 of the principal Act shall be treated as outstanding with respect to a hereditament or agricultural unit, or to part of a hereditament or agricultural unit, until— a it is withdrawn in relation to the hereditament, unit or part; or b an objection to the notice having been made by a counter-notice under section 140 of the principal Act, either— i the period of two months specified in section 141(1) of the principal Act elapses without the claimant having required the objection to be referred to the Lands Tribunal under that section; or ii the objection, having been so referred to the Lands Tribunal, is upheld by the Tribunal with respect to the hereditament, unit or part. 8 The grounds on which objection may be made in a counter-notice under section 140 of the principal Act to a notice under this section are those specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (2) of that section and, in a case to which section 35(1) below applies, the ground specified in (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 (2) (a) above ; c that the conditions specified in subsection (2) (b) and (c) above are not fulfilled ; d that (for reasons specified in the counter-notice) neither of the conditions specified in subsection (4) above was, on the date of service of the notice under this section, satisfied with regard to the interest referred to in that subsection. Extension of grounds of objection to blight notice. 35 1 Where a blight notice is served under section 139 of the principal Act or section 34 above, then in the case of land— a falling within section 138(1)(c) of the principal Act or section 33(1)(a) of this Act; and b not falling within section 138(1)(e) or (f) of that Act or section 33(1)(d) of this Act, the grounds on which an objection may be made in a counter-notice under section 140 of the principal Act shall include the grounds that the appropriate authority (unless compelled to do so by virtue of sections 139 to 151 of the principal Act and section 34 above, 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 fifteen years from the date of the counter-notice or such longer period from that date as may be specified in the counter-notice. 2 An objection may not be made as aforesaid on the grounds mentioned in subsection (1) above if it may be made on the grounds mentioned in section 140(2)(b) of the principal Act (objection on the grounds that the appropriate authority do not propose to acquire any part of the hereditament or affected area in question). 3 An objection on the grounds mentioned in subsection (1) above which is referred to the Lands Tribunal shall not be upheld by the Tribunal unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Tribunal that the objection is well-founded. 4 Section 145(1) and (2) of the principal Act (lapsing of compulsory purchase powers when objection under section 140 of that Act is successful) shall apply in relation to an objection on the said grounds as they apply in relation to an objection on the grounds mentioned in section 140(2)(b) of that Act. 5 The council of a county, county borough, London borough or county district or the Greater London Council may, subject to such conditions as may be approved by the Minister, advance money to any person for the purpose of enabling him to acquire a hereditament or agricultural unit in respect of which a counter-notice has been served under section 140 of the principal Act specifying the grounds mentioned in subsection (1) above as, or as one of, the grounds of objection, if, in the case of a hereditament, its annual value does not exceed such amount as may be prescribed for the purposes of section 13 8(3) (a) of the principal Act (interests qualifying for protection under that Act). 6 Paragraph (c) of section 140(2) of the principal Act (objection on the grounds that the appropriate authority propose to acquire part only of the affected area of an agricultural unit) and the following provisions of that Act, that is to say— sections 141(5) and 142(3) (subsequent proceedings where such an objection made); and section 145(4) and (5) (lapsing of compulsory purchase powers when objection under section 140 is successful), shall apply to hereditaments as they apply to any such area, references in those provisions to the affected area being construed as references to the hereditament. 7 Subsection (6) above shall not affect 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. 8 Subsection (6) above shall not affect the right of a claimant under section 8 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 to sell (unless the Lands Tribunal otherwise determines) 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; and accordingly in determining whether or not to uphold an objection relating to a hereditament on the grounds mentioned in paragraph (c) of section 140(2) of the principal Act the Tribunal shall consider (in addition to the other matters which they are required to consider) whether— a in the case of a house, building or manufactory, the part proposed to be acquired can be taken without material detriment to the house, building or manufactory ; or b in the case of a park or garden belonging to a house, the part proposed to be acquired can be taken without seriously affecting the amenity or convenience of the house. Compensation for compulsory purchase of land in clearance areas and of historic buildings. 36 Where an interest in land is acquired in pursuance of a blight notice and the interest is one— a in respect of which a compulsory purchase order is in force under section 1 of the Act of 1946 (as applied by section 50 of this Act) containing a direction for minimum compensation under section 53 of this Act; or b in respect of which a compulsory purchase order is in force under Part III of the Housing Act 1957, the compensation payable for the acquisition shall, in a case falling within paragraph (a) above, be assessed in accordance with the direction mentioned in that paragraph and, in a case falling within paragraph (b) above, be assessed in accordance with Part III of the said Act of 1957, in either case as if the notice to treat deemed to have been served in respect of the interest under section 142 of the principal Act had been served in pursuance of the compulsory purchase order. Miscellaneous amendments of Part VIII of principal Act. 37 1 Section 143 of the principal Act (exclusion of compensation for severance and disturbance) shall cease to have effect. 2 The power to make an order under section 138(3)(a) of the principal Act (limit of annual value of hereditament an interest in which qualifies for protection under sections 139 to 151 of that Act) shall be exercisable by statutory instrument, and any such instrument shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. 3 For a person to be treated under section 149(1) or (3) of the principal Act (definitions for purposes of blight notice provisions) as owneroccupier or resident owner-occupier of a hereditament, his occupation thereof at a relevant time or during a relevant period, if not occupation of the whole of the hereditament, must be or, as the case may be, have been occupation of a substantial part of it. 4 In subsections (1)(b), (2)(b) and (3)(b) of the said section 149, the period of six months ending not more than six months before the date of service shall in each case be replaced by a period of six months ending not more than twelve months before that date. 5 If any question arises which authority is the appropriate authority for the purposes of sections 139 to 151 of the principal Act or section 34 of this Act— a section 140(1) of that Act (objection to blight notice) shall have effect as if the reference to the date of service of that notice were a reference to that date or the date on which that question is determined, whichever is the later and b subsections (1)(b), (2)(b) and (3)(b) of section 149 of that Act shall apply with the substitution for the reference to twelve 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. Consequential amendments of ss.138 to 150 of principal Act. 38 The provisions of the principal Act specified in Schedule 4 to this Act (being provisions about blight notices and proceedings in connection therewith) shall be amended as shown in that Schedule. Disposal of land by public authorities Restriction on exercise by public authorities of power of disposing of land. 39 1 Section 26(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1959 (power of local and other public authorities to dispose of land without consent of a Minister) shall not apply to the exercise of a power to dispose of land conferred by any enactment if the power is exercised in respect of— a housing accommodation in respect of which there has been made to a local authority (whether before or after the commencement of that Act) an Exchequer payment within the meaning of section 58(2) of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act 1958 or a payment under an enactment repealed by the said Act of 1958 or any earlier Act and re-enacted (with or without modifications) by any of the provisions mentioned in the said section 58(2); or b an approved dwelling within the meaning of Part I of the Housing Subsidies Act 1967. 2 Section 26(5)(b) of the said Act of 1959 (which makes provision corresponding to subsection (1) above in the case of a disposal of land under section 104 of the Housing Act 1957) shall cease to have effect. PART V Buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest Restriction on demolition and other works New provisions restricting demolition etc. of listed buildings. 40 1 In this Part of this Act the expression " listed building " means a building which is for the time being included in a list compiled or approved by the Minister under section 32 of the principal Act (buildings of special architectural or historic interest). 2 Subject to this Part of this Act, if a person executes or causes to be executed any works for the demolition of a listed building or for its alteration or extension in any manner which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest, and the works are not authorised under this Part of this Act, he shall be guilty of an offence. 3 For (the purposes of this Part of this Act, any object or structure fixed to a building, or forming part of the land and comprised within the curtilage of a building, shall be treated as part of the building. 4 Works for the demolition of a listed building, or for its alteration or extension, are authorised under this Part of this Act only if— a the local planning authority or the Minister have granted written consent (hereafter in this Act referred to as " listed building consent ") for the execution of the works and the works are executed in accordance with the terms of the consent and of any conditions attached to the consent under section 41 below ; and b in the case of demolition, notice of the proposal to execute the works has been given to the Royal Commission and thereafter either— i for a period of at least one month following the grant of listed building consent, and before the commencement of the works, reasonable access to the building has been made available to members or officers of the Commission for the purpose of recording it; or ii the Commission have, by their Secretary or other officer of theirs with authority to act on the Commission's behalf for the purposes of this section, stated in writing that they have completed their recording of the building or that they do not wish to record it. 5 In subsection (4) above " the Royal Commission " means, in relation to England, the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England) and, in relation to Wales, the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments (Wales and Monmouthshire); but the Minister may, in relation to either England or Wales, or both, by order made by statutory instrument provide that the said subsection shall, in the case of works 'executed or to be executed on or after such date as may be specified in the order, have effect with the substitution for the reference to the Royal Commission of a reference to such other body as may be so specified. 6 Without prejudice to subsection (2) above, if a person executing or causing to be executed any works in relation to a listed building under a listed building consent fails to comply with any condition attached to the consent under section 41 below, he shall be guilty of an offence. 7 A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable— a on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than three months or a fine of not more than £250, or both ; or b on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or a fine, or both ; and, in determining the amount of any fine to be imposed on a person convicted on indictment, the court shall in particular have regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to him in consequence of the offence. 8 In proceedings for an offence under this section it shall be a defence to prove that the works were urgently necessary in the interests of safety or health, or for the preservation of the building, and that notice in writing of the need for the works was given to the local planning authority as soon as reasonably practicable. 9 Sections 30 and 31 of the principal Act (building preservation orders) and section 33 of that Act (effect of inclusion of building in a list under section 32 of the Act) shall cease to have effect. 10 Every building which immediately before the commencement of this Part of this Act was subject to a building preservation order under Part III of the principal Act, but was not then included in a list compiled or approved under section 32 of that Act, shall be deemed to be a listed building; but the Minister may at any time direct, in the case of any building, that this subsection shall no longer apply to it and the council of the county borough, London borough or county district in whose area the building is situated, on being notified of the Minister's direction, shall give notice of it to the owner and occupier of the building. 11 Before giving a direction under subsection (10) above in relation to a building, the Minister shall consult with the local planning authority and with the owner and the occupier of the building. Provisions supplementary to s.40. 41 1 Section 40 above shall not apply to works for the demolition, alteration or extension of— a an ecclesiastical building which is for the time being used for ecclesiastical purposes or would be so used but for the works; or b a building which is the subject of a scheme or order under the enactments for the time being in force with respect to ancient monuments; or c a building for the time being included in a list of monuments published by the Minister of Public Building and Works under any such enactment. For the purposes of this subsection, a building used or available for use by a minister of religion wholly or mainly as a residence from which to perform the duties of his office shall be treated as not being an ecclesiastical building. 2 Where, on an application in that behalf, planning permission is granted after the commencement of this Part of this Act and— a the development for which the permission is granted includes the carrying out of any works for the alteration or extension of a listed building ; and b the planning permission or any condition subject to which it is granted is so framed as expressly to authorise the execution of the works (describing them), the planning permission shall operate as listed building consent in respect of those works; but, except as provided by this subsection, the grant of planning permission for any development shall not make it unnecessary for such consent to be obtained in respect of any works to which section 40 above applies. 3 In considering whether to grant planning permission for development which consists in or includes works for the alteration or extension of a listed building, and in considering whether to grant listed building consent for any works, the local planning authority or the Minister, as the case may be, shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. 4 Without prejudice to section 17(1) of the principal Act (grant of planning permission unconditionally or subject to conditions), the conditions which may under that subsection be attached to a grant of planning permission shall, in the case of such development as is referred to in subsection (2) above, include conditions with respect to— a the preservation of particular features of the building, either as part of it or after severance therefrom; b the making good, after the works are completed, of any damage caused to the building by the works; c the reconstruction of the building or any part of it following the execution of any works, with the use of original materials so far as practicable and with such alterations of the interior of the building as may be specified in the conditions. 5 Listed building consent may be granted either unconditionally or subject to conditions, which may include such conditions as are mentioned in subsection (4) above. 6 Part I of Schedule 5 to this Act shall have effect with respect to applications to local planning authorities for listed building consent, the reference of such applications to the Minister and appeals against decisions on such applications; and Part II of that Schedule shall have effect with respect to the revocation of listed building consent by a local planning authority or the Minister and to the compensation payable in the case of revocation. Owner's rights on refusal of consent to works Purchase notice on refusal or conditional grant of listed building consent. 42 1 Where, on an application for listed building consent in respect of a building, consent is refused or is granted subject to conditions or, by an order under Part II of Schedule 5 to this Act, listed building consent is revoked or modified, then if any owner of the land claims— a that the land has become incapable of reasonably beneficial use in its existing state ; and b in a case where consent was granted subject to conditions with respect to the execution of the works or, as the case may be, was modified by the imposition of such conditions, that the land cannot be rendered capable of reasonably beneficial use by the carrying out of the works in accordance with those conditions; and c in any case that the land cannot be rendered capable of reasonably beneficial use by the carrying out of any other works for which listed building consent has been granted or for which the local planning authority or the Minister has undertaken to grant such consent, he may, within the prescribed time and manner, serve on the council of the county borough, county district or London borough in which the land is situated a notice requiring that council to purchase his interest in the land in accordance with Part III of Schedule 5 to this Act. 2 A notice under this section is in this Act referred to as a " listed building purchase notice ". 3 In this section and in Part III of Schedule 5 to this Act, " the land " means the building in respect of which listed building consent has been refused, or granted subject to conditions, or modified by the imposition of conditions, and in respect of which its owner serves a notice under this section, together with any land comprising the building, or contiguous or adjacent to it, and owned with it, being land as to which the owner claims that its use is substantially inseparable from that of the building and that it ought to be treated, together with the building, as a single holding. 4 Where, for the purpose of determining whether the conditions specified in paragraph's (a) to (c) of subsection (1) above are satisfied in relation to the land, any question arises as to what is or would in any particular circumstances be a reasonably beneficial use of that land, then in determining that question for that purpose, no account shall be taken of any prospective use of that land which would involve the carrying out of new development or of any works requiring listed building consent which might be executed to the building, other than works for which the local planning authority or the Minister have undertaken to grant such consent. Compensation for refusal of consent to alterations etc. 43 1 The provisions of this section shall have effect where an application is made for listed building consent for the alteration or extension of a listed building and— a either the works do not constitute development or they do so but the development is such that planning permission therefor is granted by a development order; and b the Minister, either on appeal or on the reference of the application to him, refuses such consent or grants it subject to conditions. 2 If, on a claim made to the local planning authority within the prescribed time and manner, it is shown that the value of the interest of any person in the land is less than it would have been if listed building consent had been granted, or had been granted unconditionally, as the case may be, the local planning authority shall pay to that person compensation of an amount equal to the difference. 3 In determining, for the purposes of subsection (2) above, whether or to what extent the value of an interest in land is less than it would have been if the permission had been granted, or had been granted unconditionally,— a it shall be assumed that any subsequent application for the like consent would be determined in the same way ; but b if, in the case of a refusal of listed building consent, the Minister, on refusing that consent, undertook to grant such consent for some other works to the building in the event of an application being made in that behalf, regard shall be had to that undertaking. 4 No compensation shall be payable under this section in respect of an interest in land in respect of which a purchase notice is served, whether under section 129 or 135 of the principal Act or under section 42 above, being a purchase notice which takes effect. Enforcement Notice to enforce s. 40 control. 44 1 Where it appears to the local planning authority that any works have been, or are being, executed to a listed building in their area and are such as to involve a contravention of section 40(2) or (6) of this Act, then, subject to any directions given by the Minister, they may, if they consider it expedient to do so having regard to the effect of the works on the character of the building as one of special architectural or historic interest, serve a notice— a specifying the alleged contravention ; and b requiring such steps as may be specified in the notice for restoring that building to its former state or, as the case may be, for bringing it to the state it would have been in if the terms and conditions of any listed building consent for the works had been complied with, to be taken within such period as may be so specified. 2 A notice under this section is hereafter in this Act referred to as a " listed building enforcement notice ". 3 Part IV of Schedule 5 to this Act shall have effect with respect to listed building enforcement notices and appeals against such notices. Penalties for non-compliance with notice under s.44. 45 1 Subject to the provisions of this section, where a listed building enforcement notice has been served on the person who, at the time when the notice was served on him, was the owner of the building to which it relates, then, if any steps required by the notice to be taken have not been taken within the period allowed for compliance with the notice, that person shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400, or on conviction on indictment to a fine. 2 If a person against whom proceedings have been brought under subsection (1) above has, at some time before the end of the period allowed for compliance with the notice, ceased to be the owner of the building, he shall, upon information duly laid by him, and on giving to the prosecution not less than three clear days' notice of his intention, be entitled to have the person who then became the owner of the building (in this section referred to as " the subsequent owner ") brought before the court in the proceedings. 3 If, after it has been proved that any steps required by the notice have not been taken within the period allowed for compliance with the notice, the original defendant proves that the failure to take those steps was attributable, in whole or in part, to the default of the subsequent owner,— a the subsequent owner may be convicted of the offence ; and b the original defendant, if he further proves that he took all reasonable steps to secure compliance with the notice, shall be acquitted of the offence. 4 If, after a person has been convicted under the foregoing provisions of this section, he does not as soon as practicable do everything in his power to secure compliance with the notice, he shall be guilty of a further offence and be liable— a on summary conviction to a fine of not more than £50 for each day following his first conviction on which any of the requirements of the notice remain unfulfilled ; or b on conviction on indictment to a fine. 5 Any reference in this section or section 46 below to the period allowed for compliance with a listed building enforcement notice is a reference to the period specified in the notice as that within which the steps specified in the notice are required thereby to be taken, or such extended period as the local planning authority may allow for taking them. Execution and cost of works required under enforcement procedure. 46 1 If, within the period allowed for compliance with a listed building enforcement notice any steps required by the notice to be taken have not been taken, the authority may enter on the land and take those steps and may recover from the person who is then the owner of the land any expenses reasonably incurred by them in doing so. 2 Any expenses incurred by the owner or occupier of a building for the purpose of complying with a listed building enforcement notice and any sums paid by the owner of a building under subsection (1) of this section in respect of expenses incurred by the local planning authority in taking steps required by such a notice to be taken, shall be deemed to be incurred or paid for the use and at the request of the person who carried out the works to which the notice relates. 3 Section 49(2) and (3) of the principal Act (application by regulations of certain provisions of the Public Health Act 1936 in relation to enforcement works) shall apply in relation to a listed building enforcement notice as they apply in relation to an enforcement notice; and any regulations made by virtue of this subsection may provide for the charging on the land on which the building stands of any expenses recoverable by a local planning authority under subsection (1) of this section. Enforcement by, or by direction of, the Minister. 47 1 If it appears to the Minister, after consultation with the local planning authority (and, in Greater London, also with the Greater London Council), to be expedient that a listed building enforcement notice should be served in respect of any land, he may give directions to the local planning authority requiring them to serve such a notice, or may himself serve such a notice ; and any notice so served by the Minister shall have the like effect as a notice served by the local planning authority. 2 In relation to a listed building enforcement notice served by the Minister, the provisions of section 45(5) and 46 of this Act shall apply as if for any reference therein to the local planning authority there were substituted a reference to the Minister. Other measures open to local planning authority and the Minister Building preservation notice in respect of building not listed. 48 1 If it appears to the local planning authority, in the case of a building in their area which is not a listed building, that it is of special architectural or historic interest and is in danger of demolition or of alteration in such a way as to affect its character as such, they may (subject to subsection (2) below) serve on the owner and occupier of the building a notice (referred to in this section as a " building preservation notice ")— a stating that the building appears to them to be of special architectural or historic interest and that they have requested the Minister to consider including it in a list compiled or approved under section 32 of the principal Act; and b explaining the effect of subsections (3) and (4) of this section. 2 A building preservation notice shall not be served in respect of— a an ecclesiastical building which is for the time being used for ecclesiastical purposes ; or b a building which is the subject of a scheme or order under the enactments for the time being in force with respect to ancient monuments ; or c a building for the time being included in a list of monuments published by the Minister of Public Building and Works under any such enactment. For the purposes of this subsection, a building used or available for use by a minister of religion wholly or mainly as a residence from which to perform the duties of his office shall be treated as not being an ecclesiastical building. 3 A building preservation notice shall come into force as soon as it has been served on both the owner and occupier of the building to which it relates and shall remain in force for six months from the date when it is served or, as the case may be, last served; but it shall cease to be in force if, before the expiration of that period, the Minister either includes the building in a list compiled or approved under section 32 of the principal Act or notifies the local planning authority in writing that he does not intend to do so. 4 While a building preservation notice is in force with respect to a building, the provisions of this Part of this Act shall have effect in relation to it as if the building were a listed building; and if the notice ceases to be in force (otherwise than by reason of the building being included in a list compiled or approved under the said section 32), the provisions of Part V of Schedule 5 to this Act shall have effect with respect to things done or occurring under the notice or with reference to the building being treated as listed. 5 If, following the service of a building preservation notice, the Minister notifies the local planning authority that he does not propose to include the building in a list compiled or approved under section 32 of the principal Act, the authority— a shall forthwith give notice of the Minister's decision to the owner and occupier of the building ; and b shall not, within the period of twelve months beginning with the date of the Minister's notification, serve another such notice in respect of the said building. Compensation for loss or damage caused by service of building preservation notice. 49 1 The following provisions of this section shall have effect as respects compensation where a building preservation notice is served. 2 The local planning authority shall not be under any obligation to pay compensation under section 43 of this Act, in respect of any refusal of listed building consent or its grant subject to conditions, unless and until the building is included in a list compiled or approved by the Minister under section 32 of the principal Act; but this subsection shall not prevent a claim for such compensation being made before the building is so included. 3 If the building preservation notice ceases to have effect without the building having been included in a list so compiled or approved, then, subject to a claim in that behalf being made to the local planning authority within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner, any person who at the time when the notice was served had an interest in the building shall be entitled to be paid compensation by the authority in respect of any loss or damage directly attributable to the effect of the notice. 4 The loss or damage in respect of which compensation is payable under subsection (3) above shall include a sum payable in respect of a breach of contract caused by the necessity of discontinuing or countermanding any works to the building on account of the building preservation notice being in force with respect thereto. Compulsory acquisition of listed building in need of repair. 50 1 Where it appears to the Minister, in the case of a building to which this section applies, that reasonable steps are not being taken for properly preserving it, the Minister may authorise the council of the county, county borough or county district in which the building is situated or, in the case of a building situated in Greater London, the Greater London Council or the London borough council, to acquire compulsorily under this section the building and any land comprising or contiguous or adjacent to it which appears to the Minister to be required for preserving the building or its amenities, or for affording access to it, or for its proper control or management. 2 Where it appears to the Minister, in the case of a building to which this section applies, that reasonable steps are not being taken for properly preserving it, he may be authorised under this section to acquire compulsorily the building and any land comprising or contiguous or adjacent to it which appears to him to be required for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) of this section. 3 This section applies to any listed building, not being— a an ecclesiastical building which is for the time being used for ecclesiastical purposes ; or b a building which is the subject of a scheme or order under the enactments for the time being in force with respect to ancient monuments ; or c a building for the time being included in a list of monuments published by the Minister of Public Building and Works under any such enactment. For the purposes of this subsection a building used or available for use by a minister of religion wholly or mainly as a residence from which to perform the duties of his office shall be treated as not being an ecclesiastical building. 4 The Minister shall not make or confirm a compulsory purchase order for the acquisition of any building by virtue of this section unless he is satisfied that it is expedient to make provision for the preservation of the building and to authorise its compulsory acquisition for that purpose. 5 The Act of 1946 shall apply to the compulsory acquisition of land under this section and accordingly shall have effect— a as if this section had been in force immediately before the commencement of that Act; and b as if references therein to the Minister of Transport and to the enactments specified in section 1(1)(b) of that Act included respectively references to the Minister and to the provisions of this section. 6 Any person having an interest in a building which it is proposed to acquire compulsorily under this section may, within twenty-eight days after the service of the notice required to be served under paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1946, apply to a magistrates' court acting for the petty sessions area within which the building is situated for an order staying further proceedings on the compulsory purchase order; and, if the court is satisfied that reasonable steps have been taken for properly preserving the building, the court shall make an order accordingly. 7 Any person aggrieved by the decision of a magistrates' court on an application under subsection (6) above may appeal against that decision to a court of quarter sessions. Repairs notice as preliminary to compulsory acquisition. 51 1 Neither a council nor the Minister shall start the compulsory purchase of a building under section 50 above unless at least two months previously they have served on the owner of the building, and not withdrawn, a notice under this section (referred to in this section as a " repairs notice ")— a specifying the works which they consider reasonably necessary for the proper preservation of the building; and b explaining the effect of sections 50 to 53 of this Act. 2 Where a council or the Minister have served a repairs notice, the demolition of the building thereafter shall not prevent them from being authorised under section 50 above to acquire compulsorily the site of the building, if the Minister is satisfied that he would have confirmed or, as the case may be, would have made a compulsory purchase order in respect of the building had it not been demolished. 3 A council or the Minister may at any time withdraw a repairs notice served by them; and if they do so, they shall forthwith give notice of the withdrawal to the person who was served with the notice. 4 A person on whom there has been served a repairs notice shall not in any case be entitled to serve a purchase notice under section 129 of the principal Act or section 42 of this Act until the expiration of three months beginning with the date of the service of the repairs notice; and if during the said period of three months the council or the Minister start the compulsory acquisition of the building in the exercise of their powers under section 50 above, the person shall not be so entitled unless and until the compulsory acquisition is discontinued. 5 For the purposes of this section a compulsory acquisition— a is started when the council or the Minister, as the case may be, serve the notice required by paragraph 3(1)(b) of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1946 ; and b is discontinued, in the case of acquisition by a council, when they withdraw the compulsory purchase order or the Minister decides not to confirm it and, in the case of acquisition by the Minister, when he decides not to make the compulsory purchase order. Compensation on compulsory acquisition. 52 Subject to section 53 below, for the purpose of assessing compensation in respect of any compulsory acquisition of land including a building which, immediately before the date of the compulsory purchase order, was listed, it shall be assumed that listed building consent would be granted for any works for the alteration or extension of the building, or for its demolition, other than works in respect of which such consent has been applied for before the date of the order and refused by the Minister, or granted by him subject to conditions, the circumstances having been such that compensation thereupon became payable under section 43 of this Act. Minimum compensation in case of building deliberately left derelict. 53 1 A council proposing to acquire a building compulsorily under section 50 above, if they are satisfied that the building has been deliberately allowed to fall into disrepair for the purpose of justifying its demolition and the development or re-development of the site or any adjoining site, may include in the compulsory purchase order as submitted to the Minister for confirmation an application for a direction for minimum compensation ; and the Minister, if he is so satisfied, may include such a direction in the order as confirmed by him. 2 Subject to the provisions of this section, where the Minister acquires a building compulsorily under section 50 of this Act, he may, if he is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1) above, include a direction for minimum compensation in the compulsory purchase order. 3 The notice required to be served in accordance with paragraph 3(1)(b) of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1946 (notices stating effect of compulsory purchase order or, as the case may be, draft order) shall, without prejudice to so much of that paragraph as requires the notice to state the effect of the order, include a statement that the authority have made application for a direction for minimum compensation or, as the case may be, that the Minister has included such a direction in the draft order prepared by him in accordance with paragraph 7 of that Schedule and shall in either case explain the meaning of the expression " direction for minimum compensation ". 4 A direction for minimum compensation, in relation to a building compulsorily acquired, is a direction that for the purpose of assessing compensation it is to be assumed, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Land Compensation Act 1961 or this Act, that planning permission would not be granted for any development or re-development of the site of the building and that listed building consent would not be granted for any works for the demolition, alteration or extension of the building other than development or works necessary for restoring it to, and maintaining it in, a proper state of repair; and if a compulsory purchase order is confirmed or made with the inclusion of such a direction, the compensation in respect of the compulsory acquisition shall be assessed in accordance with the direction. 5 Where the local authority include in a compulsory purchase order made by them an application for a direction for minimum compensation, or the Minister includes such a direction in a draft compulsory purchase order prepared by him, any person having an interest in the building may, within twenty-eight days after the service of the notice required by paragraph 3(1)(b) of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1946, apply to a magistrates' court acting for the petty sessions area in which the building is situated for an order that the local authority's application for a direction for minimum compensation be refused or, as the case may be, that such a direction be not included in the compulsory purchase order as made by the Minister; and if the court is satisfied that the building has not been deliberately allowed to fall into disrepair for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) of this section, the court shall make the order applied for. 6 A person aggrieved by the decision of a magistrates' court on an application under subsection (5) above may appeal against the decision to a court of quarter sessions. 7 The rights conferred by subsections (5) and (6) of this section shall not prejudice those conferred by section 50(6) and (7) of this Act. Miscellaneous Matters which may be taken into account by Minister in listing buildings. 54 In considering whether to include a building in a list compiled or approved under section 32 of the principal Act, the Minister may take into account not only the building itself but also— a any respect in which its exterior contributes to the architectural or historic interest of any group of buildings of which it forms part; and b the desirability of preserving, on the ground of its architectural or historic interest, any feature of the building consisting of a man-made object or structure fixed to the building or forming part of the land and comprised within the curtilage of the building. Application of control to local planning authorities. 55 1 In relation to buildings of local planning authorities which are listed, and to the execution of works for their demolition, alteration or extension, this Part of this Act shall have effect subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be prescribed. 2 Regulations made under this section may in particular provide for securing— a that any application by a local planning authority for listed building consent shall be made to the Minister; and b that any notice authorised to be served under this Part of this Act in relation to a listed building belonging to a local planning authority shall be served by the Minister. Directions by Minister to local planning authorities with respect to development affecting Conservation Areas. 56 1 The Minister may give directions to local planning authorities with respect to the matters which they are to take into consideration in determining an application— a for planning permission for any such development as is referred to in section 1(6) of the Civic Amenities Act 1967 (special provisions as to publicity for applications affecting Conservation Areas); or b for listed building consent for any works for the demolition, alteration or extension of a building in a Conservation Area, and with respect to the consultations which such authorities are to undertake before determining any such application. 2 Different directions may under this section be given to different local planning authorities ; and any, such directions may require an authority— a before determining an application to consult such persons or bodies of persons as the Minister may specify, being persons or bodies appearing to him to be competent to give advice in relation to the development or description of development to which the directions have reference; b to supply to any person or body, whom they are required by the directions to consult, specified documents or information enabling the body to form an opinion on which to base their advice : c to establish committees, consisting either of members of the authority or of other persons, or of both, to advise the authority in relation to the determination of such applications as are referred to in subsection (1) above. Additional requirement of notice for development affecting Conservation Area. 57 1 Where an application for planning permission for any development of land is made to a local planning authority and the case is one where the authority are required to comply with section 1(6) of the Civic Amenities Act 1967 (special publicity for planning applications affecting Conservation Areas), the authority shall also comply with the following subsection. 2 The authority shall, for not less than seven days display a notice on or near the land to which the application relates, containing the same particulars as are required by section 1(6) (a) of the Civic Amenities Act 1967 to be contained in the notice to be published by the authority in a local newspaper. 3 An application for planning permission to which section 1(6) of the said Act of 1967 applies shall not be determined by the local planning authority before both of the following periods have elapsed, namely:— a the period of twenty-one days referred to in paragraph (a) of that subsection ; and b the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date on which the notice required by subsection (2) of this section was first displayed ; and in determining the application the authority shall take into account any representations relating to the application which are received by them before both those periods have elapsed. 4 In the said section 1(6), paragraphs (b) and (c) shall cease to have effect. Removal of need for Minister's consent to certain local authority grants. 58 The power of a local authority under section 1(1) (b) of the Local Authorities (Historic Buildings) Act 1962 to contribute towards expenses incurred or to be incurred in the repair or maintenance of a building in their area appearing to them to be of architectural or historic interest shall be exercisable without the consent of the Minister. Compulsory purchase affecting ancient monuments, etc. 59 In paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1946 (application of special parliamentary procedure to compulsory purchase order affecting ancient monument etc., subject to certificate by Minister of Public Building and Works that undertakings have been given as to its preservation), the reference to land being, or being the site of, an ancient monument or other object of archaeological interest shall be construed as not including a reference to a listed building or any land or object comprised within the curtilage of such a building, unless the building or object is specified in the Schedule to the Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882 or is for the time being specified in a list published under section 12 of the Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Act 1913. Crown land. 60 1 A building may be included in a list compiled or approved by the Minister under section 32 of the principal Act notwithstanding that it is Crown land. 2 Notwithstanding any interest of the Crown in Crown land, but subject to the provisions of section 199 of the principal Act (exercise of powers under that Act in relation to Crown land), any restrictions or powers imposed or conferred by this Part of this Act shall apply and be exercisable in relation to Crown land to the extent of any interest therein for the time being held otherwise than by or on behalf of the Crown. 3 In this section the expression " Crown land " has the same meaning as in section 199 of the principal Act. PART VI Miscellaneous Changes in Planning Law Planning Inquiry Commissions Constitution of Planning Inquiry Commissions. 61 1 The Minister may constitute a Planning Inquiry Commission to inquire into and report on any matter referred to them under section 62 below. 2 Any such commission shall consist of a chairman and not less than two nor more than four other members appointed by the Minister. 3 The Minister may pay to the members of any such commission such remuneration and allowances as he may with the consent of the Treasury determine, and may provide for each such commission such officers or servants, and such accommodation, as appears to him expedient to provide for the purpose of assisting the commission in the discharge of their functions. 4 The validity of any proceedings of any such commission shall not be affected by any vacancy among the members of the commission or by any defect in the appointment of any member. 5 In Part II of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1957 (commissions, tribunals and other bodies all members of which are disqualified under that Act), in its application to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the following entry shall be inserted at the appropriate place in alphabetical order:— A Planning Inquiry Commission constituted under Part VI of the Town and Country Planning Act 1968 . 6 The " Minister ", in relation to any matter affecting both England and Wales, means in subsections (1) and (2) above the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Secretary of State for Wales acting jointly, and in subsection (3) above one of those Ministers authorised by the other to act on behalf of both of them for the purposes of that subsection. References to a Planning Inquiry Commission. 62 1 The following matters may, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) below, be referred to a Planning Inquiry Commission, that is to say— a an application for planning permission which the Minister has under section 22 of the principal Act directed to be referred to him instead of being dealt with by a local planning authority ; b an appeal under section 23 of that Act (appeals to the Minister against planning decisions) as originally enacted or as applied by or under any other provision of that Act; c a proposal that a government department should give a direction under section 41 of that Act that planning permission shall be deemed to be granted for development by a local authority or by statutory undertakers which is required by any enactment to be authorised by that department; d a proposal that development should be carried out by or on behalf of a government department. 2 Any of the matters mentioned in subsection (1) above may be referred to any such commission under this section if it appears expedient to the responsible Minister or Ministers that the question whether the proposed development should be permitted to be carried out should be the subject of a special inquiry on either or both of the following grounds:— a there are considerations of national or regional importance which are relevant to the determination of that question and require evaluation, but a proper evaluation thereof cannot be made unless there is a special inquiry for the purpose ; b the technical or scientific aspects of the proposed development are of so unfamiliar a character as to jeopardise a proper determination of that question unless there is a special inquiry for the purpose. 3 Two or more of the matters mentioned in subsection (1) above may be referred to the same commission under this section if it appears to the responsible Minister or Ministers that they relate to proposals to carry out development for similar purposes on different sites. 4 Where a matter referred to a commission under this section relates to a proposal to carry out development for any purpose at a particular site, the responsible Minister or Ministers may also refer to the commission the question whether development for that purpose should instead be carried out at an alternative site. 5 The responsible Minister or Ministers shall, on referring a matter to a commission under this section, state in the reference the reasons therefor and may draw the attention of the commission to any points which seem to him or them to be relevant to their inquiry. 6 A commission inquiring into a matter referred to them under this section shall— a identify and investigate the considerations relevant to, or the technical or scientific aspects of, that matter which in their opinion are relevant to the question whether the proposed development should be permitted to be carried out and assess the importance to be attached to those considerations or aspects; b thereafter, if the applicant, in the case of a matter mentioned in subsection (1) (a), (b) or (c) above, or the local planning authority in any case so desire, afford to each of them, and, in the case of an application or appeal mentioned in the said subsection (1)(a) or (b), to any person who has made representations relating to the subject matter of the application or appeal which the authority are required to take into account under section 17(2) or (3) of the principal Act, an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by one or more members of the commission ; c report to the responsible Minister or Ministers on the matter referred to them. 7 Any such commission may, with the approval of the Minister and at his expense, arrange for the carrying out (whether by the commission themselves or by others) of research of any kind appearing to them to be relevant to a matter referred to them for inquiry and report. In this subsection " the Minister ", in relation to any matter affecting both England and Wales, means the Minister of Housing and Local Government or the Secretary of State acting in either case, by arrangements between the two of them, on behalf of both. 8 Sections 22(5) and 23(5) of the principal Act (duty of Minister to afford parties a hearing in cases of called-in applications for planning permission and appeals), and sections 21(6) and 22(4) of this Act, shall not apply to an application for planning permission or an appeal referred to a commission under subsection (1) above. 9 Schedule 6 to this Act shall have effect for the construction of references in this section and section 63 below to " the responsible Minister or Ministers ". Procedure on a reference to a Planning Inquiry Commission. 63 1 A reference to a Planning Inquiry Commission of a proposal that development should be carried out by or on behalf of a government department may be made at any time and a reference of any other matter mentioned in section 62 above may be made at any time before, but not after, the determination of the relevant application referred under section 22 of the principal Act or the relevant appeal under section 23 of that Act or, as the case may be, the giving of the relevant direction under section 41 of that Act, notwithstanding that an inquiry or other hearing has been held into the proposal by a person appointed by any Minister for the purpose. 2 Notice of the making of a reference to any such commission shall be published in the prescribed manner, and a copy of the notice shall be served on the local planning authority for the area in which it is proposed that the relevant development shall be carried out, and— a in the case of an application for planning permission referred under section 22 of the principal Act or an appeal under section 23 of that Act, on the applicant and any person who has made representations relating to the subject matter of the application or appeal which the authority are required to take into account under section 17(2) or (3) of the principal Act; b in the case of a proposal that a direction should be given under section 41 of that Act with respect to any development, on the local authority or statutory undertakers applying for authorisation to carry out that development. 3 A Planning Inquiry Commission shall, for the purpose of complying with section 62(6)(b) above, hold a local inquiry; and they may hold such an inquiry, if they think it necessary for the proper discharge of their functions, notwithstanding that neither the applicant nor the local planning authority desire an opportunity of appearing and being heard. 4 Where a Planning Inquiry Commission are to hold a local inquiry under subsection (3) above in connection with a matter referred to them, and it appears to the responsible Minister or Ministers, in the case of some other matter falling to be determined by a Minister of the Crown and required or authorised by an enactment other than this section to be the subject of a local inquiry, that the two matters are so far cognate that they should be considered together, he or, as the case may be, they may direct that the two inquiries be held concurrently or combined as one inquiry. 5 An inquiry held by such a commission under this section shall be treated for the purposes of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1958 as one held by a Minister in pursuance of a duty imposed by a statutory provision. 6 Subsections (2) to (5) of section 290 of the Local Government Act 1933 (evidence and costs at local inquiries) shall apply in relation to an inquiry held under subsection (3) above as they apply in relation to an inquiry caused to be held by a department under subsection (1) of that section with the substitution for references to a department (other than the first reference in subsection (4)) of references to the responsible Minister or Ministers. 7 Subject to the provisions of this section and to any directions given to them by the responsible Minister or Ministers, a Planning Inquiry Commission shall have power to regulate their own procedure. Delegation of planning functions Delegation of planning functions to officers of local authorities. 64 1 A local planning authority may delegate to any officer of the authority the function of determining all or any, or a specified class, of the following applications, that is to say— a an application for planning permission under Part III of the principal Act; b an application for consent under an order under section 29 of that Act to the cutting down, topping, lopping or destruction of trees; c an application for consent under regulations under section 34 of that Act to the display of advertisements ; d an application for a determination under section 43 of that Act of the questions whether the carrying out of operations on land or the making of any change in the use of land constitutes or involves development of the land and, if so, whether an application for planning permission in respect thereof is required having regard to the provisions of the development order ; e an application for an established use certificate under section 17 of this Act; f an application for an approval required by a development order or by a condition imposed on the grant of planning permission. 2 A local authority to whom the function of determining any such application as is referred to in subsection (1) above is delegated under section 3 of the principal Act may delegate either— a to an officer of theirs ; or b with the consent of the local planning authority, to an officer of that authority, the function of determining all or any, or a specified class, of those applications. 3 A delegation made by a local authority under this section to an officer of theirs or of another local authority— a shall be made to the officer by name ; b may be made with or without restrictions or conditions ; c may be withdrawn at any time by the delegating authority (either generally or in respect of a particular application), without prejudice to anything previously done by the officer thereunder ; and d shall, in the case of a delegation under subsection (2)(b) above, be treated as withdrawn if the consent of the local planning authority under that paragraph is withdrawn. 4 Where a local authority have under this section delegated to an officer of theirs or of another local authority the function of determining applications, and the officer so requests in the case of any application specified by him, the delegating authority shall themselves, instead of him, determine the application. 5 Where any functions have under this section been delegated to an officer of a local authority, any determination by him of such an application as is referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall, if it is notified in writing to the applicant, be treated for all purposes as a determination of the delegating authority. 6 Where an action has been brought against an officer of a local authority in respect of an act done by him in the discharge or purported discharge of functions delegated to him under this section and the circumstances are such that he is not legally entitled to require the delegating authority to indemnify him, that authority may nevertheless indemnify him against the whole or part of any damages and costs which he may have been ordered to pay or may have incurred, if they are satisfied that he honestly believed that the act complained of was done in the discharge of those functions and that his duty required or entitled him to do it. 7 In relation to any functions delegated under this section by a local authority to an officer of theirs or of another local authority, any reference to the local planning authority in any enactment relating to those functions shall (subject to the terms of the delegation and so far as the context does not otherwise require) be construed as including a reference to that officer. Duration of planning permission Limit of duration of planning permissions past and future. 65 1 Subject to the provisions of this section, every planning permission granted or deemed to have been granted before the commencement of this section shall, if the development to which it relates has not been begun before the beginning of 1968, be deemed to have been granted subject to a condition that the development must be begun not later than the expiration of five years beginning with the said commencement. 2 Subject to the provisions of this section, every planning permission granted or deemed to be granted after the commencement of this section shall be granted or, as the case may be, be deemed to be granted, subject to the condition that the development to which it relates must be begun not later than the expiration of— a five years begirming with the date on which the permission is granted or, as the case may be, deemed to be granted ; or b such other period (whether longer or shorter) beginning with the said date as the authority concerned with the terms of the planning permission may direct, being a period which the authority consider appropriate having regard to the provisions of the development plan and to any other material considerations. 3 If after the commencement of this section planning permission is granted without the condition required by subsection (2) above, it shall be deemed to have been granted subject to the condition that the development to which it relates must be begun not later than the expiration of five years beginning with the date of the grant. 4 Nothing in this section applies— a to any outline planning permission, as defined by section 66 below; b to any planning permission granted by a development order; c to any planning permission which was granted or deemed to be granted, before the commencement of this section, subject to an express condition that the development to which it relates should be begun, or be completed, not later than a specified date or within a specified period; d to any planning permission granted for a limited period (within the meaning of section 18 of the principal Act); or e to any planning permission granted under section 20 of the principal Act on an application relating to buildings or works completed, or a use of land instituted, before the date of the application. Outline planning permissions. 66 1 In this section and section 65 above, " outline planning permission " means planning permission granted, in accordance with the provisions of a development order, with the reservation for subsequent approval by the local planning authority or the Minister of matters (referred to in this section as " reserved matters ") not particularised in the application. 2 Subject to the provisions of this section, where before the commencement of this section outline planning permission has been granted for development consisting in or including the carrying out of building or other operations, and the development has not been begun before the beginning of 1968, that planning permission shall be deemed to have been granted subject to conditions to the following effect:— a that, in the case of any reserved matter, application for approval must be made not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of the commencement of this section ; and b that the development to which the permission relates must be begun not later than whichever is the later of the following dates,— i the expiration of five years from the date of the commencement of this section ; or ii the expiration of two years from the final approval of the reserved matters or, in the case of approval on different dates, the final approval of the last such matter to be approved. 3 Subection (2) above shall not apply to a planning permission granted before the commencement of this section subject to an express condition that the development to which it relates should be begun, or be completed, or that application for approval of any reserved matter should be made, not later than a specified date or within a specified period. 4 Subject to the provisions of this section, where outline planning permission is granted after the commencement of this section for such development as is referred to in subsection (2) above, it shall be granted subject to conditions to the following effect:— a that, in the case of any reserved matter, application for approval must be made not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of the grant of outline planning permission ; and b that the development to which the permission relates must be begun not later than whichever is the later of the following dates,— i the expiration of five years from the date of the grant of outline planning permission ; or ii the expiration of two years from the final approval of the reserved matters or, in the case of approval on different dates, the final approval of the last such matter to be approved. 5 If after the commencement of this section outline planning permission is granted without the conditions required by subsection (4) above, it shall be deemed to have been granted subject to those conditions. 6 The authority concerned with the terms of an outline planning permission may, in applying subsection (4) above, substitute, or direct that there be substituted, for the periods of three years, five years or two years referred to in that subsection such other periods respectively (whether longer or shorter) as they consider appropriate. 7 The said authority may, in applying the said subsection, specify, or direct that there be specified, separate periods under paragraph (a) of the subsection in relation to separate parts of the development to which the planning permission relates ; and, if they do so, the condition required by paragraph (b) of the subsection shall then be framed correspondingly by reference to those parts, instead of by reference to the development as a whole. 8 In considering whether to exercise their powers under subsections (6) and (7) above, the said authority shall have regard to the provisions of the development plan and to any other material considerations. Provisions supplementary to ss.65 and 66. 67 1 For the purposes of sections 65 and 66 above, development shall be taken to be begun on the earliest date on which any specified operation (as defined in section 64(3) of the Land Commission Act 1967) comprised in the development begins to be carried out. 2 The authority referred to in section 65(2)(b) and section 66(6) above is the local planning authority or the Minister, in the case of planning permission granted by them, and— a in the case of planning permission granted by an order under section 28 of the principal Act (requirement of discontinuance of use of land or alteration or removal of buildings or works) is the local planning authority making the order or, where the Minister in confirming the order exercises his powers under section 28(5) of that Act, the Minister ; b in the case of planning permission under section 41 of the principal Act (grant by direction of a government department) is the department on whose direction planning permission is deemed to be granted. 3 For the purposes of section 66(2) and (4) above, a reserved matter shall be treated as finally approved when an application for approval is granted or, in a case where the application is made to the local planning authority and there is an appeal to the Minister against the authority's decision on the application and the Minister grants the approval, on the date of the determination of the appeal. 4 Where after the commencement of sections 65 and 66 above a local planning authority grant planning permission, the fact that any of the conditions of the permission are required by this Act to be imposed, or are deemed by this Act to be imposed, shall not prevent the conditions being the subject of an appeal under section 23 of the principal Act against the decision of the authority. 5 Section 18(3) of the principal Act (planning permission not to be taken as authorising operations carried out after the time limited in that behalf by the permission) shall not have effect in relation to a planning permission having conditions attached to it by or under section 65(1), (2) or (3) or section 66(2), (4) or (5) above; but in the case of such a planning permission (whether outline or other),— a development carried out after the date by which the conditions of the permission require it to be carried out shall be treated as not authorised by the permission; and b an application for approval of a reserved matter, if it is made after the date by which the conditions require it to be made, shall be treated as not made in accordance with the terms of the permission. 6 Compensation under Part VI of the principal Act shall not be payable in respect of the application to any planning permission of any of the conditions referred to in sections 65 and 66 of this Act. 7 The said conditions shall be disregarded for the purposes— a of section 123 of the principal Act (compensation for planning decisions restricting development); b of section 129 of that Act (right of landowner to serve purchase notice, where he claims that the land has become incapable of reasonably beneficial use on account of the refusal of planning permission or the imposition of conditions); and c of section 170 of that Act (compensation of statutory undertakers in respect of certain planning decisions). Termination of planning permission by reference to time limit. 68 1 The following provisions of this section shall have effect where, by virtue of section 65 or 66 above, a planning permission (whether granted before or after the commencement of those sections) is subject to a condition that the development to which the permission relates must be begun before the expiration of a particular period and that development has been begun within that period but the period has elapsed without the development having been completed. 2 If the local planning authority are of opinion that the development will not be completed within a reasonable period, they may serve a notice (hereafter in this section referred to as a " completion notice ") stating that the planning permission will cease to have effect at the expiration of a further period specified in the notice, being a period of not less than twelve months after the notice takes effect. 3 A completion notice— a shall be served on the owner and occupier of the land and on any other person who in the opinion of the local planning authority will be affected by the notice; and b shall take effect only if and when it is confirmed by the Minister, who may in confirming it substitute some longer period for that specified in the notice as the period at the expiration of which the planning permission is to to cease to have effect. 4 If, within such period as may be specified in a completion notice (not being less than twenty-eight days from the service thereof) any person on whom the notice is served so requires, the Minister before confirming the notice shall afford to that person and to the local planning authority an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the Minister for the purpose. 5 If a completion notice takes effect, the planning permission therein referred to shall at the expiration of the period specified in the notice, whether the original period specified under subsection (2) above or a longer period substituted by the Minister under subsection (3) above, be invalid except so far as it authorises any development carried out thereunder up to the end of that period. 6 The local planning authority may withdraw a completion notice at any time before the expiration of the period specified therein as the period at the expiration of which the planning permission is to cease to have effect; and if they do so they shall forthwith give notice of the withdrawal to every person who was served with the completion notice. Statutory undertakers New provision as to what is " operational land " of statutory undertakers. 69 1 Where an interest in land is held by statutory undertakers for the purpose of the carrying on of their undertaking and— a the interest was acquired by them after the commencement of this section ; or b it was held by them immediately before that commencement, but the circumstances were then such that the land did not fall to be treated as operational land for the purposes of the principal Act, then the following subsection shall have effect for the purpose of determining whether the land is to be so treated and shall so have effect notwithstanding the definition of " operational land " in section 221(1) of the principal Act. 2 The land shall not be treated as operational land for the purposes of the principal Act unless one or both of the following conditions are satisfied with respect to it, namely— a there is, or at some time has been, in force with respect to the land a specific planning permission for its development and that development, if carried out, would involve or have involved the use of the land for the purpose of the carrying on of the statutory undertakers' undertaking; or b the undertakers' interest in the land was acquired by them as the result of a transfer under provisions of the Transport Act 1968 from other statutory undertakers and the land was, immediately before the transfer, operational land of those other undertakers. 3 A specific planning permission for the purpose of subsection (2)(a) above is a planning permission— a granted on an application in that behalf under Part III of the principal Act or the enactments previously in force and replaced by that Part of that Act; or b granted by provisions of a development order granting planning permission generally for development which has received specific parliamentary approval; or c granted by a special development order in respect of development specifically described in the order; or d deemed to be granted by virtue of a direction of a government department under section 41 of the principal Act or section 35 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 ; and the reference in paragraph (b) of this subsection to development which has received specific parliamentary approval shall be construed as referring to development authorised by a local or private Act of Parliament or by an order approved by both Houses of Parliament or by an order which has been brought into operation in accordance with the provisions of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945, being an Act or order which designates specifically both the nature of the development thereby authorised and the land upon which it may be carried out. Planning applications and appeals by statutory undertakers. 70 1 In the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) below, section 159(1) of the principal Act (statutory undertakers' planning applications and appeals, if in respect of operational land, to be dealt with by Ministers) shall apply to an application or appeal by statutory undertakers in respect of land which is not operational land as it applies to an application or appeal in respect of land which is. 2 The said circumstances are that— a an interest in the land in question is held by the undertakers with a view to its being used for the purpose of carrying on their undertaking ; or b it is land in which they propose to acquire an interest with a view to its being so used, and (in either case) the planning permission, if granted on the application or appeal, would be for development involving the use of the land for that purpose. 3 The following provisions of the principal Act (being provisions which require certain planning decisions and orders affecting statutory undertakers to be subject to special parliamentary procedure) shall cease to have effect:— a section 159(2) (decision on planning application in respect of operational land or appeal thereon), except as respects an application for planning permission made before the commencement of this section or an appeal from the decision on an application so made ; b section 160(1) (decision of a government department refusing, or attaching conditions to, statutory authorisation for development), except as respects a decision made before that commencement; c section 161(2) (order revoking or modifying planning permission in respect of operational land), except as respects an order of which notice has been given under that subsection before that commencement; d section 162(2) (order requiring discontinuance of use etc. of operational land), except as respects an order of which notice has been given under that subsection before that commencement; e section 163(3)(b) (compulsory purchase order with respect to land acquired by statutory undertakers for the purpose of their undertaking), except as respects an order made or confirmed before that commencement; and f section 165(3) (order extinguishing a right of way or rights of statutory undertakers in respect of apparatus under certain land), except as respects an order made before that commencement. Restriction on entitlement of statutory undertakers to compensation for adverse planning decisions. 71 1 Except as provided by subsection (2) below, statutory undertakers shall not be entitled to compensation in respect of a decision mentioned in section 170(1)(a) or (b) of the principal Act (right to compensation in respect of certain decisions and orders) where that decision is made after the commencement of this section. 2 Subsection (1) above shall not apply to compensation in respect of a decision made in accordance with section 159 of the principal Act refusing planning permission for the development of operational land, or granting such permission subject to conditions, where— a planning permission for that development would have been granted by a development order but for a direction given under such an order that planning permission so granted should not apply to the development; and b it is not development which has received specific parliamentary approval (within the meaning given to that expression by section 69(3) of this Act). 3 Section 119 of the principal Act (compensation on refusal of planning permission or its grant subject to conditions) shall not apply in relation to planning permission for the development of operational land of statutory undertakers. Modifications of s.164 of principal Act. 72 1 Section 164 of the principal Act (power of Minister, local planning authority or statutory undertakers, on acquisition or appropriation of land for development, by service of notice to secure extinguishment of statutory undertakers' rights over the land or the removal of their apparatus) shall be amended in accordance with this section. 2 A notice under that section shall not be served by the acquiring or appropriating authority unless they are satisfied that the extmguishment of the statutory undertakers' right or, as the case may be, the removal of their apparatus, is necessary for the purpose of carrying out any development with a view to which the land was acquired or appropriated. 3 The period referred to in subsection (1) of the said section (that is to say the period to be specified in a notice under the section as the period at the end of which the statutory undertakers' right will be extinguished or, as the case may be, before the end of which their apparatus shall be removed) shall be a period of not less than twenty-eight days from the date of service of the notice. Notice for same purposes as s. 164, but given by statutory undertakers to developing authority. 73 1 Subject to the provisions of this section, where land has been acquired or appropriated as mentioned in section 164(1) of the principal Act, and— a there is on, under or over the land any apparatus vested in or belonging to statutory undertakers; and b the undertakers claim that development to be carried out on the land is such as to require, on technical or other grounds connected with the carrying on of their undertaking, the removal or re-siting of the apparatus affected by the development, the undertakers may serve on the acquiring or appropriating authority a notice claiming the right to enter on the land and carry out such works for the removal or re-siting of the apparatus or any part of it as may be specified in the notice. 2 Where, after the land has been acquired or appropriated as aforesaid, development of the land is begun to be carried out, no notice under this section shall be served later than twenty-one days after the beginning of the development. 3 Where a notice is served under this section, the authority on whom it is served may, before the end of the period of twenty-eight days from the date of service, serve on the statutory undertakers a counter-notice stating that they object to all or any of the provisions of the notice and specifying the grounds of their objection. 4 If no counter-notice is served under subsection (3) above, the statutory undertakers shall, after the end of the period of twenty-eight days therein mentioned, have the rights claimed in their notice. 5 If a counter-notice is served under subsection (3) above, the statutory undertakers who served the notice under this section may either withdraw it or may apply to the Minister and the appropriate Minister for an order under this section conferring on the undertakers the rights claimed in the notice or such modified rights as the Minister and the appropriate Minister think it expedient to confer on them. 6 Where, by virtue of this section or of an order of Ministers thereunder, statutory undertakers have the right to execute works for the removal or re-siting of apparatus, they may arrange with the acquiring or appropriating authority for the works to be carried out by that authority, under the superintendence of the undertakers, instead of by the undertakers themselves. 7 Where works are carried out for the removal or re-siting of statutory undertakers' apparatus, being works which the undertakers have the right to carry out by virtue of this section or an order of Ministers thereunder, the undertakers shall be entitled to compensation from the acquiring or appropriating authority ; and the amount of the compensation shall be an amount calculated in accordance with subsections (2) to (4) of section 171 of the principal Act but reduced, in a case where the authority carry out the works, by the actual cost to the authority of doing so. 8 In subsections (2) to (4) of section 171 of the principal Act, as they apply for the purposes of this section, any reference to " the proceeding giving rise to compensation " shall, instead of being construed in accordance with subsection (5) of that section, be construed as a reference to the circumstances making it necessary for the apparatus in question to be removed or re-sited. General planning control Expansion of building below ground to constitute development. 74 Notwithstanding anything in section 12 (2) (a) of the principal Act (carrying out of works for the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of a building not to constitute development if it is wholly internal or does not materially affect the building's external appearance) the carrying out of works for the alteration of any building by providing additional space therein below ground shall, if begun after the commencement of this section, be treated for the purposes of the principal Act as involving development. Modification of transitory exemptions based on pre-1948 use. 75 1 Section 13(2) of the principal Act (exemption from requirement of planning permission for resumption of normal use before the original appointed day) and section 13(4) of that Act (the same as to resumption of use of land which on that day was unoccupied) shall not have effect as respects any use of land begun or resumed after the commencement of this section. 2 In the case of land which on the original appointed day was normally used for one purpose and was also used on occasions for another purpose, section 13(3) of the principal Act (exemption from requirement of planning permission for resumption of previous occasional use) shall, as respects any use of the land for the other purpose after the commencement of this section, apply only if the land has, since the original appointed day, been used for the other purpose on at least one similar occasion before the beginning of 1968. 3 In applying section 13(5), (6) and (8) of the principal Act (factors relevant for determining whether planning permission is required for resumption of use following the expiration of a limited planning permission), no account shall be taken of any contravention of previous planning control other than contravention of the provisions of Part III of the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 ; and accordingly— a in both section 13(6) and 13(8), for the words " or in contravention of previous planning control " there shall be substituted the words " or in contravention of the provisions of Part III of the Act of 1947 "; and b section 13(10) shall cease to have effect. 4 Section 13(9) of the principal Act (planning permission not required, where land has been developed without such permission, for a use of the land which would have been lawful apart from the development) shall not apply to any use of land which, by the operation of this section, has become unlawful without planning permission. 5 In this section " the original appointed day " means the appointed day for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning Act 1947, that is to say 1st July 1948. Posting of site notice prior to planning application. 76 1 An application for planning permission for development of any class to which section 15 of the principal Act (certain classes of planning application, prescribed by development order, to be supported by evidence of prior publicity) applies shall not be entertained by the local planning authority unless it is accompanied by one or other of the following certificates, signed by or on behalf of the applicant, that is to say— a a certificate stating that he has complied with subsection (2) of this section and when he did so; or b a certificate stating that he has been unable to comply with it because he has not such rights of access or other rights in respect of the land as would enable him to do so, but that he has taken such reasonable steps as are open to him (specifying them) to acquire those rights and has been unable to acquire them. 2 In order to comply with this subsection a person must— a post on the land a notice, in such form as may be prescribed by a development order, stating that the application for planning permission is to be made; and b leave the notice in position for not less than seven days; in a period of not more than one month immediately preceding the making of the application to the local planning authority. 3 The said notice must be posted by affixing it firmly to some object on the land, and must be sited and displayed in such a way as to be easily visible and legible by members of the public without going on the land. 4 The applicant shall not be treated as unable to comply with subsection (2) of this section if the notice is, without any fault or intention of his, removed, obscured or defaced before the seven days referred to in subsection (2) (b) above have elapsed, so long as he has taken reasonable steps for its protection and, if need be, replacement; and, if he has cause to rely on this subsection, his certificate under subsection (1) above shall state the relevant circumstances. 5 The notice required by subsection (2) of this section shall (in addition to any other matters required to be contained therein) name a place within the locality where a copy of the application for planning permission, and of all plans and other documents submitted therewith, will be open to inspection by the public at all reasonable hours during such period as may be specified in the notice, not being a period of less than twenty-one days beginning with the date on which the notice is first posted. 6 If any person issues a certificate which purports to comply with the requirements of this section and which contains a statement which he knows to be false and misleading in a material particular, or recklessly issues a certificate which purports to comply with those requirements and which contains a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100. 7 Any certificate issued for the purpose of this section shall be in such form as may be prescribed by a development order. Extension of s.19 of principal Act with respect to development affecting trunk and special roads. 77 In section 19(2) of the principal Act (power to provide by a development order for regulating the manner in which applications for planning permission are to be dealt with by local planning authorities and, in particular, for enabling the Minister of Transport to restrict the grant of planning permission for development affecting roads) the reference in paragraph (a) to development falling within subsection (3) of the section shall include, and be deemed always to have included, a reference to development of or affecting land on which the Minister of Transport or, in relation to Wales, the Secretary of State proposes to provide a trunk road or a special road, being a road the route of which is shown as such in the development plan or in the case of which the Minister or Secretary of State (as the case may be) has given to the local planning authority written notice of his intention to provide the road, together with maps or plans sufficient to identify the proposed route of the road. Local register of planning applications. 78 A development order may make provision for the register of planning applications kept by a local planning authority under section 19(4) of the principal Act to be kept in two or more parts, each part containing such information relating to applications for planning permission made to the authority as may be prescribed by the order, and may also make provision— a for a specified part of the register to contain copies of applications and of any plans or drawings submitted therewith; and b for the entry relating to any application, and everything relating thereto, to be removed from that part of the register when the application (including any appeal arising out of it) has been finally disposed of, without prejudice to the inclusion of any different entry relating thereto in another part of the register. Reference to Minister of application for approval under outline planning permission. 79 The power of the Minister to give directions under section 22 of the principal Act, requiring applications for planning permission to be referred to him instead of being dealt with by the local planning authority, shall be exercisable also in relation to applications for any approval of an authority required under a development order, and references to applications in subsections (2), (3), (5) and (6) of that section shall be construed accordingly. Unopposed revocation or modification of planning permission. 80 1 The following provisions shall have effect where the local planning authority have made an order under section 27 of the principal Act (revocation or modification of planning permission) but have not submitted the order to the Minister for confirmation by him, and— a the owner and the occupier of the land and all persons who in the authority's opinion will be affected by the order have notified the authority in writing that they do not object to the order ; and b it appears to the authority that no claim for compensation is likely to arise under section 118 of the principal Act on account of the order. 2 The authority shall advertise in the prescribed manner the fact that the order has been made, and the advertisement shall specify— a the period (not less than twenty-eight days from the date on which the advertisement first appears) within which persons affected by the order may give notice to the Minister that they wish for an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the Minister for the purpose ; and b the period (not less than fourteen days from the expiration of the period referred to in paragraph (a) above) at the expiration of which, if no such notice is given to the Minister, the order may take effect by virtue of this section and without being confirmed by the Minister. 3 The authority shall also serve notice to the same effect on the persons mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above, and the notice shall include a statement of the effect of subsection (7) of this section. 4 The authority shall send a copy of any advertisement published under subsection (2) above to the Minister, not more than three days after the publication. 5 If within the period referred to in subsection (2)(a) above no person claiming to be affected by the order has given notice to the Minister as aforesaid, and the Minister has not directed that the order be submitted to him for confirmation, the order shall, at the expiration of the period referred to in subsection (2) (b) of this section, take effect by virtue of this section and without being confirmed by the Minister as required by section 27(2) of the principal Act. 6 This section does not apply to an order revoking or modifying a planning permission granted or deemed to have been granted by the Minister under Part III or Part IV of the principal Act or under Part II or Part V of this Act; nor does it apply to an order modifying any conditions to which a planning permission is subject by virtue of section 65 or 66 of this Act. 7 No compensation shall be payable under section 118 of the principal Act in respect of an order under section 27 of that Act which takes effect by virtue of this section and without being confirmed by the Minister. Procedure in connection with making and confirmation of tree preservation orders. 81 1 The provisions which may by virtue of subsection (1)(c) of section 29 of the principal Act (tree preservation orders) be applied by such an order in relation to any consent thereunder shall include section 80 of this Act. 2 Regulations made by virtue of section 29(5) of the principal Act may (without prejudice to the generality of that subsection) make provision as follows :— a that, before a tree preservation order is submitted to the Minister for confirmation, notice of the making of the order shall be given to the owners and occupiers of land affected by the order and to such other persons, if any, as may be specified in the regulations ; b that objections and representations with respect to the order, if duly made in accordance with the regulations, shall be considered before the order is confirmed by the Minister; c that, if no objections or representations are so made, or if any so made are withdrawn, the order, instead of requiring the confirmation of the Minister in accordance with section 29(4) of the principal Act, may be confirmed (but without any modification), as an unopposed order, by the authority who made it; and d that copies of the order, when confirmed by the Minister or the authority, shall be served on such persons as may be specified in the regulations. Notice by Minister to planning authority when exercising default powers. 82 1 The Minister, where he proposes under section 207 of the principal Act (default powers) to make an order— a under section 27 of that Act (revocation or modification of planning permission), or under the provisions of that section as applied by any order or regulations made under Part III of that Act; or b under section 28 of that Act (discontinuance of specified use of land or alteration or removal of buildings or works), shall serve a notice of the proposal on the local planning authority; and if within such period as may be specified in the notice (not less than twenty-eight days from the date of service) the authority so require, the Minister before making the order shall afford to the authority an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by him for the purpose. 2 The obligation of the Minister to serve a notice under this section shall be without prejudice to any requirements of Part III of the principal Act, or' regulations made thereunder, having effect by virtue of section 207(3) of that Act (requirements as to notice etc., where Minister acts in place of local planning authority). Control of office development Partial abrogation of dual control of office development. 83 1 Without prejudice to section 23 of the Industrial Development Act 1966 (restrictions or conditions which may be attached to industrial development certificates issued by the Board of Trade under section 38 of the principal Act) the conditions which the Board of Trade may under that section attach to an industrial development certificate shall include conditions restricting the amount of office floor space to be contained in any building which is the subject of the development, or precluding it from containing any office floor space; and the conditions may be framed so as to apply (either or both) to the building as originally erected or as subsequently extended or altered. 2 Notwithstanding section 5(1) of the Control of Office and Industrial Development Act 1965 (of which the effect is that an industrial development certificate under section 38 of the principal Act as well as an office development permit under section 1(3) of the said Act of 1965 is required in support of an application for planning permission for development which is not only industrial but involves the provision of office premises), compliance with the said section 1(3) shall not be required in respect of an application for planning permission for industrial development to which this section applies, where there has been issued by the Board of Trade and furnished to the local planning authority with the application a copy of an industrial development certificate with conditions attached thereto by virtue of subsection (1) above. 3 The said Act of 1965 is hereafter in this Act referred to as " the Act of 1965 4 In this section, " industrial development " means the development of land in any manner specified in section 38(1) of the principal Act (requirement of Board of Trade industrial development certificate to support application for planning permission for development involving provision of industrial building or change in the use of premises so that a building becomes industrial); and this section applies to industrial development only if there will result therefrom no office premises except such as are comprised within the curtilage of an industrial building and are used or designed for use for providing services or facilities ancillary to the use of other premises in the same building or curtilage. 5 Development in respect of which there has been issued by the Board of Trade an industrial development certificate with conditions attached thereto by virtue of subsection (1) of this section shall be treated as not included in any reference to " related development " in section 2 of the Act of 1965 (which makes an office development permit unnecessary if the amount of office floor space to be created is below the prescribed exemption limit, but for this purpose requires that space to be aggregated with office floor space created, or to be created, in the course of other development affecting the same building or site). Modifications of section 7 of 1965 Act. 84 1 Section 7 of the Act of 1965 (attachment to certain planning permissions of conditions restricting office floor space, where the permission can be granted without an office development permit) shall not apply to a planning permission granted after the commencement of this section for the erection of a building on any land, unless it is in an area to which Part I of that Act applied at the time when the application for the planning permission was made. 2 Section 7 of the Act of 1965 shall not apply to a planning permission granted after the said commencement for the erection of a building with a floor space less than twice the prescribed exemption limit; nor shall it apply to a planning permission so granted for the erection of a building (of whatever floor space) which is wholly residential. 3 Section 7 of the Act of 1965 shall not apply to a planning permission which is subject to conditions by virtue of section 23(5) or (6) of the Industrial Development Act 1966 (attachment to planning permission of conditions subject to which an industrial development certificate was issued by the Board of Trade) and those conditions either restrict the office floor space which the building may contain or preclude it from containing any office floor space. Restriction on creation of office premises in building altered or extended. 85 1 The provisions of this section shall, subject to subsection (4) below, have effect with respect to a planning permission granted after the commencement of this section for the alteration or extension of a building in an area to which Part I of the Act of 1965 applies at the time of the grant and also applied when the application for planning permission was made, but shall have effect only in the case of a building erected under a planning permission granted after the said commencement. 2 If the case is the following, that is to say:— a either the erection of the building was not development to which Part I of the Act of 1965 applied or it was so but no office development permit was required therefor; and b either the proposed alteration or extension is not development to which the said Part I applies or it is so but no office development permit is required therefor ; and c there will result from the proposed alteration or extension a building with an aggregate floor space of twice, or more than twice, the prescribed exemption limit, the planning permission for the alteration or extension shall be granted subject to the condition specified in subsection (3) of this section (in addition to any other conditions imposed by the authority granting the permission). 3 The said condition is that the use of the building as altered or extended, or as subsequently further altered or extended, shall be restricted so that (whether in consquence of a change of use or otherwise) it does not at any time contain office premises having an aggregate office floor space which exceeds the prescribed exemption limit. 4 In the following two cases this section shall not apply:— a where the planning permission is in respect of a building which, after its alteration or extension, will be wholly residential; and b where the planning permission is subject to conditions by virtue of section 23(5) or (6) of the Industrial Development Act 1966 and those conditions either restrict the office floor space which the building as extended or altered may contain or preclude it from containing any office floor space. Corresponding restriction on planning permission for erection of several buildings. 86 1 The provisions of this section shall have effect with respect to a planning permission granted after the commencement of this section for development involving the erection of two or more buildings in an area to which Part I of the Act of 1965 applies at the time of the grant and also applied when the application for planning permission was made, except in a case where all the buildings are exempt from this section. 2 Any one of the said buildings shall be exempt from this section if— a it is wholly residential; or b the planning permission is subject to conditions by virtue of section 23(5) or (6) of the Industrial Development Act 1966 and those conditions either restrict the office floor space which the building may contain or preclude it from containing any office floor space. 3 If the aggregate floor space of the buildings proposed to be erected (leaving out of account any which are exempt from this section) is twice, or more than twice, the prescribed exemption limit and either the erection of the buildings is not development to which Part I of the Act of 1965 applies or it is so, but no office development permit is required therefor, the planning permission shall be granted subject to the condition specified in subsection (4) below (in addition to any other conditions imposed by the authority granting the permission). 4 The said condition is that the use of each one of the buildings (excluding any which are exempt from this section) shall be restricted so that (whether in consequence of a change of use or otherwise) it does not at any time contain office premises having an aggregate floor space which exceeds the limit for that building specified in the condition, which limit shall (subject to subsection (5) below) be a floor space bearing such proportion to the building's total floor space as the prescribed exemption limit bears to the aggregate floor space of all the buildings (excluding any which are exempt from this section) for whose erection the planning permission is granted. 5 The authority granting the planning permission may in doing so specify in the said condition, as it applies to any building, a limit different from the one provided by subsection (4) above, but not so that the total of the limits for all the buildings to which the condition applies exceeds the prescribed exemption limit. 6 If after the grant of-the planning permission a further application for planning permission is made in respect of all or any of the buildings to which the condition specified in subsection (4) of this section applies, and the further application involves a departure from the terms of the said condition as applying to any building, the application shall be subject to section 1(3) of the Act of 1965 (requirement of office development permit) notwithstanding any provision of that Act exempting development from the requirements of that section in particular cases. Provisions supplementary to ss. 83 to 86. 87 1 A planning permission with respect to which section 85 or 86 above has effect shall not be invalid by reason only that the requirements of section 85(2) or 86(3), as the case may be, are not complied with; but in that case the planning permission shall be deemed to have been granted subject to the condition specified in section 85(3) or 86(4), as the case may be, or (if any other conditions are imposed by the authority granting the permission) to have been granted subject to the condition so specified in addition to the other conditions ; and references in those sections to a condition imposed thereunder shall be construed accordingly as including references to a condition deemed to be imposed. 2 In sections 83 to 86 of this Act— a " industrial building " has the meaning given to it by section 21 of the Local Employment Act 1960, as amended by section 25 of the Industrial Development Act 1966; b " office development permit ", " office premises " and " office floor space " have the same meanings as they have for the purposes of the Act of 1965 ; c " the prescribed exemption limit ", in relation to a planning permission, has the meaning given to it by section 7(5) of the Act of 1965 in relation to planning permission granted as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of that section (restrictions on office development to be attached to planning permission not requiring office development permit); and d " wholly residential " in relation to a building, means for use exclusively as a dwelling-house or comprising only units of accommodation for such use. Transfer of Minister's functions in relation to Location of Offices Bureau. 88 1 The functions of the Minister under the Location of Offices Bureau Order 1963 (which was made under powers conferred by section 8 of the Minister of Town and Country Planning Act 1943 to set up commissions to assist the Minister in the exercise of his functions in relation to the use and development of land) are hereby transferred to the Board of Trade. 2 The Location of Offices Bureau shall, in discharging its functions, comply with such directions of a general character as may be given by the Board of Trade. 3 In the said Order of 1963— a Article 2(1) shall not have effect except so far as it provides for the Bureau to be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal; b Article 3(2) (duty to comply with the directions of the Minister) shall cease to have effect; and c for references to the Minister there shall be substituted references to the Board of Trade ; and the power conferred by section 10 of the Minister of Town and Country Planning Act 1943 to vary or revoke an Order in Council made under the Act shall, as respects the said Order of 1963, be exercisable as if references in section 8 of the Act to the purpose of assisting the Minister in the exercise of his functions in relation to the use and development of land in England and Wales were references to that of assisting the Board of Trade in connection with their functions under the Act of 1965, and other references in that section to the Minister were references to the Board. 4 This section shall not affect the validity of anything done by or in relation to the Minister before the coming into force of this section ; and— a anything which at the commencement of this section is in process of being done by or in relation to the Minister for the purposes of the said Order of 1963 may be continued by or in relation to the Board of Trade; b any appointment made, direction given or other thing done by the Minister under or for the purposes of that Order shall, if in force at the commencement of this section, continue in force and have effect as if similarly made, given or done by the Board. Stopping-up and diversion of highways Transfer of Ministerial functions as to stopping-up etc. of footpaths and bridleways. 89 1 Section 153 of the principal Act (power of Minister of Transport to make orders authorising the stopping-up or diversion of highways in order to enable development to be carried out) shall be amended in accordance with this section. 2 The power conferred on the Minister of Transport by section 153(1) of the principal Act to make an order authorising the stopping-up or diversion of a highway, where he is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in order to enable development to be carried out as mentioned in that subsection, shall, in the case of a footpath or bridleway, be exercisable also by the Minister of Housing and Local Government where that Minister is so satisfied; and the Minister of Transport shall not make an order under that subsection in the case of a footpath or bridleway unless, at the time when he first publishes notice of the order in accordance with section 154(1) of the principal Act, it appears to him to be necessary for the said purpose also to authorise the stopping-up or diversion of some other highway, not being a footpath or bridleway. 3 Subsection (2) of the said section 153 shall not apply to an order made thereunder by the Minister of Housing and Local Government; but an order so made may make such provision as appears to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the creation of an alternative highway for use as a replacement for the one authorised by the order to be stopped-up or diverted, or for the improvement of an existing highway for such use. 4 In relation to an order made by the Minister of Housing and Local Government under section 153 of the principal Act, subsection (3) of that section and section 154 of the Act (procedure and publicity for orders under section 153) shall apply with the substitution of references to that Minister for references to the Minister of Transport; and in subsections (4) and (5) of section 153 references to the latter shall be construed as including references to the former. 5 In section 32 of the Mineral Workings Act 1951 (power of Minister of Transport to make temporary stopping-up or diversion order in connection with surface working of minerals),— a in subsection (1), after the words " Minister of Transport " there shall be inserted the words " or the Minister of Housing and Local Government "; and b in subsection (2), after the words " Minister of Transport " there shall be inserted the words " or the Minister of Housing and Local Government, as the case may be ". 6 In this Act, " footpath " and " bridleway " have the same meanings as in the Highways Act 1959. 7 Nothing in this section applies to or affects an order made by the Minister of Transport before the commencement of this section, or an order with respect to which he has, before that commencement, published in the London Gazette the notice required by section 154(1) of the principal Act. 8 This section shall not apply to Wales. Procedure for making orders for stopping-up and diverting highways. 90 1 Where the responsible Minister would, if planning permission for any development had been granted under Part III of the principal Act, have power to make an order under section 153(1) of that Act authorising the stopping-up or diversion of a highway in order to enable that development to be carried out, then, notwithstanding that such permission has not been granted, that Minister may, in the circumstances specified in subsections (2) to (4) below, publish notice of the draft of such an order in accordance with section 154 of that Act (procedure in relation to orders under section 153). 2 The responsible Minister may publish such a notice as aforesaid where the relevant development is the subject of an application for planning permission and either— a that application is made by a local authority or statutory undertakers or the National Coal Board; or b that application stands referred to the Minister of Housing and Local Government or the Secretary of State in pursuance of a direction under section 22 of the principal Act; or c the applicant has appealed to the Minister of Housing and Local Government or the Secretary of State under section 23 of that Act against a refusal of planning permission or of approval required under a development order, or against a condition of any such permission or approval. 3 The responsible Minister may publish such a notice as aforesaid where— a the relevant development is to be carried out by a local authority, statutory undertakers or the National Coal Board and requires, by virtue of an enactment, the authorisation of a government department; and b the developers have made application to the department for that authorisation and also requested a direction under section 41 of the principal Act or, in the case of the National Coal Board, under section 2 of the Opencast Coal Act 1958, that planning permission be deemed to be granted for that development. 4 The responsible Minister may publish such a notice as aforesaid where the council of a county or county borough, the Greater London Council, the council of a London borough, a joint planning board, or the Inner London Education Authority certify that they have begun to take such steps, in accordance with regulations made by virtue of section 42 of the principal Act (application of planning control to local planning authorities), as are requisite in order to enable them to obtain planning permission for the relevant development. 5 Section 154(4) of that Act (power of responsible Minister to make an order under section 153 after considering any relevant objections and report) shall not be construed as authorising the responsible Minister to make an order under section 153(1) of that Act of which notice has been published by virtue of subsection (1) above until planning permission is granted for the development which occasions the making of the order. 6 In this section " the responsible Minister " means, except in relation to Wales,— a in relation to an order authorising the stopping-up or diversion of a footpath or bridleway only, the Minister of Housing and Local Government; and b otherwise the Minister of Transport; and, in relation to Wales, means the Secretary of State. New powers to authorise stopping-up and diversion of highways. 91 1 If planning permission is granted under Part III of the principal Act for constructing or improving, or the responsible Minister proposes to construct or improve, a highway (hereafter in this section referred to as " the main highway "), that Minister may by order authorise the stopping-up or diversion of any other highway which crosses or enters the route of the main highway or which is, or will be, otherwise affected by the construction or improvement of the main highway, if it appears to that Minister expedient to do so— a in the interests of the safety of users of the main highway ; or b to facilitate the movement of traffic on the main highway. 2 In this section, " the responsible Minister " means, except in relation to Wales, the Minister of Transport and, in relation to Wales, the Secretary of State. 3 Sections 153(2) to (5), 154, 156, 157 and 158 of the principal Act (ancillary provisions, provisions as to compulsory acquisition of land in connection with highways and provisions as to telegraphic lines) and section 90 above shall apply in relation to an order under this section as they apply in relation to an order made by the Minister of Transport under section 153(1) of that Act with the substitution in the said sections of the principal Act for references to that Minister and the said section 153(1) of references to the responsible Minister (as defined by subsection (2) above) and this section. 4 In section 32(3) of the Mineral Workings Act 1951 (rights of statutory undertakers in respect of their apparatus where order made under section 153 of principal Act), after the reference to the said section 153 there shall be inserted an alternative reference to this section. Conversion of highway into footpath or bridleway. 92 1 The provisions of this section shall have effect where a local planning authority by resolution adopt a proposal for improving the amenity of part of their area, being a proposal which involves a highway in that area (being a highway over which the public have a right of way with vehicles, but not a trunk road or a road classified as a principal road for the purposes of advances under section 235 of the Highways Act 1959) being changed to a footpath or bridleway. 2 The responsible Minister may, on an application made by the local planning authority after consultation with the highway authority (if different), by order provide for the extinguishment of any right which persons may have to use vehicles on that highway. 3 An order made under subsection (2) of this section may include such provision as the responsible Minister (after consultation with the highway authority) thinks fit for permitting the use on the highway of vehicles (whether mechanically propelled or not) in such cases as may be specified in the order, notwithstanding the extinguishment of any such right as is mentioned in that subsection; and any such provision may be framed by reference to particular descriptions of vehicles, or to particular persons by whom, or on whose authority, vehicles may be used, or to the circumstances in which, or the times at which, vehicles may be used for particular purposes. 4 No statutory provision prohibiting or restricting the use of footpaths, footways or bridleways shall affect any use of a vehicle on a highway in relation to which an order made under subsection (2) above has effect, where the use is permitted in accordance with provisions of the order included by virtue of subsection (3) above. 5 Any person who, at the time of an order under subsection (2) of this section coming into force, has an interest in land having lawful access to a highway to which the order relates shall be entitled to be compensated by the local planning authority in respect of any depreciation in the value of his interest which is directly attributable to the order and of any other loss or damage which is so attributable. In this subsection " lawful access " means access authorised by planning permission granted under the principal Act or the Town and Country Planning Act 1947, or access in respect of which no such permission is necessary. 6 A claim for compensation under subsection (5) above shall be made to the local planning authority within the time and in the manner prescribed by regulations under the principal Act. 7 Sections 153(2), (3) and (5), 154, 156, 157 and 158 of the principal Act (provisions ancillary to section 153(1), provisions as to compulsory acquisition of land in connection with highways, and provisions as to telegraphic lines) shall apply in relation to an order under this section, as they apply in relation to an order under section 153(1) of that Act, with the substitution for references to the Minister of Transport and that section of references to the responsible Minister and this section. 8 The responsible Minister may, on an application made by the local planning authority after consultation with the highway authority (if different) by order revoke an order made by him in relation to a highway under subsection (2) above ; and the effect of the order shall be to reinstate any right to use vehicles on the highway, being a right which was extinguished by virtue of the order under the said subsection. 9 Subsection (8) above shall not be taken as prejudicing any provision of the principal Act enabling orders to be varied or revoked. 10 In this section— a " the responsible Minister " means, except in relation to Wales, the Minister of Transport and, in relation to Wales, the Secretary of State ; and b " statutory provision " means a provision contained in, or having effect under, any enactment. Provision of amenity for highway reserved to pedestrians. 93 1 Where in relation to a highway an order has been made under subsection (2) of section 92 of this Act, a competent authority may carry out and maintain any such works on or in the highway, or place on or in it any such objects or structures, as appear to them to be expedient for the purposes of giving effect to the order or of enhancing the amenity of the highway and its immediate surroundings or to be otherwise desirable for a purpose beneficial to the public. 2 The powers exercisable by a competent authority under this section shall extend to laying out any part of the highway with lawns, trees, shrubs and flower-beds and to providing facilities for recreation or refreshment. 3 A competent authority may so exercise their powers under this section as to restrict the access of the public to any part of the highway, but shall not so exercise them as— a to prevent persons from entering the highway at any place where they could enter it before the order under section 92 was made ; or b to prevent the passage of the public along the highway; or c to prevent normal access by pedestrians to premises adjoining the highway ; or d to prevent any use of vehicles which is permitted by an order made under the said section 92 and applying to the highway; or e to prevent statutory undertakers from having access to any works of theirs under, in, on, over, along or across the highway. 4 An order under subsection (8) of the said section 92 may make provision requiring the removal of any obstruction of the highway resulting from the exercise by a competent authority of their powers under this section. 5 The competent authorities for the purposes of this section are— a the councils of counties, county boroughs and county districts; and b in Greater London, the Greater London Council and the councils of London boroughs ; but such an authority shall not exercise any powers conferred by this section unless they have obtained the consent of the local planning authority and the highway authority (in a case where they are themselves not that authority). Powers for local authorities analogous to s.153 of principal Act. 94 1 Subject to section 96 below, a competent authority may by order authorise the stopping-up or diversion of any footpath or bridleway if they are satisfied that it is necessary to do so in order to enable development to be carried out— a in accordance with planning permission granted under Part III of the principal Act or the enactments replaced by that Part of the Act; or b by a government department. 2 The competent authorities for the purposes of this section are— a the local planning authority ; and b in relation to development for which planning permission was granted by another authority to whom had been delegated the power of granting it, that other authority. 3 An order under this section may, if the competent authority are satisfied that it should do so, provide— a for the creation of an alternative highway for use as a replacement for the one authorised by the order to be stopped up or diverted, or for the improvement of an existing highway for such use; b for authorising or requiring works to be carried out in relation to any footpath or bridleway for whose stopping-up or diversion, creation or improvement, provision is made by the order ; c for the preservation of any rights of statutory undertakers in respect of apparatus of theirs which immediately before the date of the order is under, in, on, over, along or across any such footpath or bridleway ; d for requiring any person named in the order to pay, or make contributions in respect of, the cost of carrying out any such works. 4 The powers of a competent authority under this section shall include power to make an order authorising the stopping-up or diversion of a footpath or bridleway which is temporarily stopped up or diverted under any other enactment. 5 Section 32(1) and (2) of the Mineral Workings Act 1951 (power of Ministers to make temporary order for stopping-up or diversion of highway in connection with working of surface minerals) shall apply to an order made by a competent authority under this section as it applies to an order made by a Minister under section 153 of the principal Act, with the substitution— a for references to Ministers, of references to a competent authority for the purposes of this section; and b for the reference in subsection (2) to section 153(3) of the principal Act, of a reference to subsection (3) of this section. Extinguishment of footpaths etc. over land held for planning purposes. 95 1 Subject to section 96 below, where any land has been acquired or appropriated for planning purposes and is for the time being held by a local authority for the purposes for which it was acquired or appropriated, the authority may by order extinguish any public right of way over the land, being a footpath or bridleway, if they are satisfied that an alternative right of way has been or will be provided, or that the provision of an alternative right of way is not required. 2 Any reference in subsection (1) above to the acquisition of land for planning purposes is a reference to the acquisition thereof under section 68 or 71 of the principal Act or section 28 of this Act; and any reference to the appropriation of land for planning purposes is a reference to the appropriation thereof for purposes for which land can, or could have been, acquired under those sections. Confirmation, validity, etc. of orders under ss.94 and 95. 96 1 An order under section 94 or 95 of this Act shall not take effect unless confirmed by the Minister, or unless confirmed, as an unopposed order, by the authority who made it. 2 The Minister shall not confirm any such order unless satisfied as to every matter of which the authority making the order are required under section 94 or 95 (as the case may be) to be satisfied. 3 The time specified— a in an order under section 94 above as the time from which a footpath or bridleway is to be stopped up or diverted; or b in an order under section 95 above as the time from which a right of way is to be extinguished, shall not be earlier than confirmation of the order. 4 Schedule 7 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the confirmation of orders under section 94 or 95 of this Act and the publicity for such orders after they are confirmed. Miscellaneous amendments of Part IX of principal Act. 97 1 It is hereby declared for the avoidance of doubt that the incidental and consequential provisions which may be included in an order under section 153 of the principal Act or section 91 or 92 above by virtue of section 153(3) of that Act shall include provisions providing for the preservation of any rights of statutory undertakers in respect of any apparatus of theirs which immediately before the date of the order is under, in, on, over, along or across the highway to which the order relates. 2 In section 154(1)(b) and (3) of the principal Act (periods for inspecting and objecting to a draft order under section 153) for the words " three months " there shall be substituted the words " twenty-eight days ". 3 Subsections (2) to (5) of section 290 of the Local Government Act 1933 (evidence and costs at local inquiries) shall apply in relation to an inquiry caused to be held by any Minister of the Crown under the said section 154(3) as they apply in relation to an inquiry caused to be held by a department under subsection (1) of the said section 290, with the substitution for the references to a department of references to that Minister. Exchequer and Treasury matters Grants for research, etc. 98 The Minister may, with the consent of the Treasury, make grants for assisting establishments engaged in promoting or assisting research relating to, and education with respect to, the planning and design of the physical environment. Exchequer contributions in connection with town development. 99 In section 2(2) of the Town Development Act 1952 (Exchequer contributions towards specified expenses incurred by the council of a county district in connection with town development), after paragraph (c) there shall be inserted the following paragraph:— cc expenses of providing buildings and other works for social, cultural or recreational purposes . Agreements of Crown Estate Commissioners. 100 An agreement made by the Crown Estate Commissioners under section 200 of the principal Act (whereby a government department may agree with local planning authorities to secure the use of Crown land in conformity with the development plan) shall not require the approval of the Treasury; and accordingly in subsection (2) of that section the words " the Crown Estate Commissioners or by " shall cease to have effect. Punishment of offences Increase of certain penalties under principal Act. 101 In the sections of the principal Act specified in Schedule 8 to this Act the amendments shown in that Schedule shall be made (being amendments to increase the penalties to which persons may be subject under those sections and in certain cases to provide for punishment on indictment as well as summarily). Offences by corporations. 102 1 Where an offence under the principal Act or this Act which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of that offence and be liable to be proceeded against accordingly. 2 In subsection (1) above the expression " director ", in relation to any body corporate established by or under an enactment for the purpose of carrying on under national ownership an industry or part of an industry or undertaking, being a body corporate whose affairs are managed by the members thereof, means a member of that body corporate. PART VII General Expenses. 103 There shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament— a any sums required for the payment of grants under section 98 above; b any other expenses of a Minister under this Act; and c any increase attributable to the provisions of this Act in the sums payable out of moneys so provided under any other enactment. Interpretation. 104 1 In this Act, except so far as the context otherwise requires,— " the Act of 1946 " means the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) Act 1946 ; " the Greater London development plan " means the development plan submitted to the Minister under section 25 of the London Government Act 1963 and approved by him under section 5 of the principal Act; " the Minister " means, except as respects Wales, the Minister of Housing and Local Government and as respects Wales the Secretary of State ; " prescribed " means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister of Housing and Local Government under this Act; " the principal Act " means the Town and Country Planning Act 1962; " Wales " includes Monmouthshire. 2 References in this Act to a London borough and a London borough council include references respectively to the City of London and the Common Council of the City. 3 This Act and the principal Act shall have effect as if this Act were part of that Act. 4 Notwithstanding anything in subsection (3) above references to the principal Act in Schedule 14 to that Act shall not be construed as including references to this Act. 5 Any reference in this Act to any other enactment is a reference thereto as amended, and includes a reference thereto as extended or applied, by or under any other enactment, including this Act. Commencement. 105 1 This Act shall come into operation on a day appointed by an order made by statutory instrument by the Minister, and different days may be appointed under this section for different purposes and, in particular, different days may be so appointed for the coming into operation of the same provision in different areas. 2 Any reference in this Act to the commencement of any provision thereof shall be construed as a reference to the day appointed for the coming into operation of that provision or, in the case of a provision which comes into operation on different days in different areas, shall, in relation to any area, be construed as a reference to the day appointed for the coming into operation of that provision in that area. 3 An order under this section may make such transitional provision as appears to the Minister to be necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions thereby brought into force, including such adaptation of those provisions or any provision of this Act then in force as appear to him to be necessary or expedient in consequence of the partial operation of this Act (whether before or after the day appointed by the order). 4 The Minister of Housing and Local Government shall, for England, and the Secretary of State shall, for Wales, each maintain and keep up to date a register showing the effect of orders made under this section in such a way as enables members of the public to inform themselves— a as to the provisions of this Act which have come, or are to be brought, into operation, and on which dates and in relation to which areas ; and b as to whether, in the case of a particular area, any transitional provision has been made by such an order. 5 The register maintained by the Minister of Housing and Local Government under this section shall be kept at his principal offices in London, and the register so maintained by the Secretary of State shall be kept at his principal offices in Cardiff ; and both registers shall be available for inspection by the public at all reasonable hours. Adaptation, amendment and modification of enactments. 106 Schedule 9 to this Act shall have effect for adapting and interpreting Acts other than this Act and for making amendments and modifications to such Acts, being minor amendments and amendments consequential on the foregoing provisions of this Act. Transitional provisions and savings. 107 Schedule 10 to this Act shall have effect for the purpose of the transition to the provisions of this Act from the law in force before the commencement of those provisions and with respect to the application of this Act to things done before the commencement of those provisions. Repeals. 108 The enactments specified in Schedule 11 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule. Short title, citation and extent. 109 1 This Act may be cited as the Town and Country Planning Act 1968. 2 The Town and Country Planning Acts 1962 to 1966 and this Act may be cited as the Town and Country Planning Acts 1962 to 1968. 3 This Act— a except so far as it amends the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1957, section 24(9) of the Industrial Development Act 1966 and section 8(3) of the Civic Amenities Act 1967, shall not extend to Scotland ; and b except so far as it amends the said Act of 1957, shall not extend to Northern Ireland.