(1)If the Secretary of State directs an authority to do so, it shall make an assessment of land which is in its area and which is in its opinion available and suitable for development for residential purposes.
(2)In connection with any assessment under subsection (1) above, the authority shall comply with such directions as the Secretary of State may give.
(3)In particular, he may give directions about any consultations to be made prior to the assessment (whether with other authorities or with builders or developers or other persons), about the way any consultation is to be made, and about producing reports of assessments and making copies of the reports available to the public, and directions that an authority is to make the assessment alone or jointly with another authority or authorities.
(4)The following are authorities for the purposes of this section, namely—
(a)(in the application of the section to England F1. . .) the councils of counties, districts and London boroughs F2
[F3(aa)(in the application of the section to Wales) the councils of counties and county boroughs;]
(b)(in the application of the section to Scotland) regional, general and district planning authorities.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 116(4)(a) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6)(8), Sch. 16 para. 59(1), Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2
F2Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81), s. 102, Sch. 17
F3S. 116(4)(aa) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 59(1) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2