Opencast Coal Act 1958

23 Compensation by reference to the diminution in value of the holding

(1) Compensation by reference to the diminution in value of a holding to which section twenty-one of this Act applies shall be payable if the value of a freehold interest in the holding, computed in accordance with paragraph (a) of the next following subsection, or in accordance with paragraph (b) of that subsection, as the case may be, but (in either case) with the benefit of any prospective right to compensation by way of payment of cost of works in respect of the holding, is less than the value of such an interest computed in accordance with paragraph (c) of that subsection.

(2) For the purposes of the preceding subsection there shall be computed the following values, that is to say.—

(a) where the entirety of the holding is comprised in the order, the value at the end of the period of occupation of a freehold interest in the holding ;

(b) where part of the holding is not comprised in the order, the value which a freehold interest in the holding would have at the end of the period of occupation if that part of the holding were in the state in which it was immediately before the date of entry, the remainder of the holding being taken to be in the state in which it is at the end of the period of occupation ;

(c) in either case, the value which a freehold interest in the holding would have at the end of the period of occupation if the entirety of the holding were in the state in which it was immediately before the date of entry.

(3) Where in accordance with subsection (1) of this section compensation by reference to the diminution in value of a holding is payable, the amount of the compensation shall be the amount of the difference between the values mentioned in that subsection, and the person entitled to that compensation shall be the person who at the end of the period of occupation is the owner of the holding.

(4) In computing value as mentioned in any of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of this section, it shall be assumed that a freehold interest in the holding is, in the circumstances mentioned in the paragraph in question, being offered for sale in the open market by a willing seller immediately after the end of the period of occupation, with vacant possession of the holding and free from incumbrances, other than any easement or similar right, any right restrictive of the use of land, and any mining lease or order conferring working rights, affecting the holding or any part thereof at that time.