Acquisition of Land Act 1981

Part III E+W Special Kinds of Land

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pts. 2, 3 applied (with modifications) (28.1.2005) by The East Midlands Parkway Station (Land Acquisition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/8), arts. 1, 11

C2 Pt. 3 incorporated (with modifications) (21.5.2020) by The Lake Lothing (Lowestoft) Third Crossing Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/474), arts. 1, 24 (with arts. 51, 57)

C3 Pts. 2, 3 incorporated (with modifications) (29.10.2020) by The Southampton to London Pipeline Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1099), arts. 1, 22 (with art. 32, Sch. 9 para. 36)

C4 Pt. III (ss. 16–22) applied (with modifications) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 155(3)(4)(7), Sch. 20 para. 6(1)(b)(c) (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

C5 Part III applied (with modifications) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 167, 223(2), Sch. 11 para. 6(1)(b)(with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 14 para. 6)

Part III applied (with modifications) (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 168, 225(2), Sch. 19 para. 6(1)(b)(with ss. 16(6), 179, 222(3), Sch. 22 para. 1, Sch. 23 para. 6)

Parts II-IV applied (31.10.1994) by Opencast Coal Act 1958 c. 69, s. 16(4A) as substituted (31.10.1994) by 1994 c. 21, s. 52, Sch. 8 para. 14(5); S.I. 1994/2553, art. 2

16 Statutory undertakers’ land excluded from compulsory purchase. E+W

(1) This section applies where the land comprised in a compulsory purchase order includes land which has been acquired by statutory undertakers for the purposes of their undertaking and on a representation made to the appropriate Minister before the expiration of the time within which objections to the order can be made he is satisfied that—

(a) any of the said land is used for the purposes of the carrying on of their undertaking, or

(b) an interest in any of the said land is held for those purposes.

[F1 and the representation is not withdrawn.].

(2) The compulsory purchase order shall not be confirmed or made so as to authorise the compulsory purchase of any land as to which the appropriate Minister is satisfied as aforesaid except land as to which he is satisfied that its nature and situation are such—

(a) that it can be purchased and not replaced without serious detriment to the carrying on of the undertaking, or

(b) that if purchased it can be replaced by other land belonging to, or available for acquisition by, the undertakers without serious detriment to the carrying on thereof,

and certifies accordingly.

[F2 (3) In the preceding provisions of this section “statutory undertakers” include—

(a) a health service body, as defined in section 60(7) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990; F3 . . .

[F4 (aa) [F5 NHS England];

[F6 (ab) an integrated care board established under section 14Z25 of the National Health Service Act 2006;]

(b) a National Health Service trust established under [F7 section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006] or the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978;

F8 . . .

[F9 (ba) an NHS foundation trust;]

F10 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F11 (d) a Local Health Board established under [F12 section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006] ;]

but in relation to a health service body, as so defined, any reference in those provisions to land acquired or available for acquisition by the statutory undertakers shall be construed as a reference to land acquired or available for acquisition by the Secretary of State for use or occupation by that body]]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 16(1) added (25.09.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 28:1), s. 70, Sch. 15, para. 10(1); S.I. 1991/2067, art. 3.

F2 S. 16(3) added by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 60(2), Sch. 8 Pt. II para. 8(1)

F3 S. 16(3): the word preceding para. (a) repealed (8.2.2000) by S.I. 2000/90, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F4 S. 16(3)(aa)(ab) inserted (1.10.2012) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 22(a); S.I. 2012/1831, art. 2(2)

F5 Words in s. 16 substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 1 para. 1(1)(2); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)

F6 S. 16(3)(ab) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 4 para. 21; S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)

F7 Words in s. 16(3)(b) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 60(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F8 S. 16(3): word at the end of para. (b) repealed (10.10.2002 for W., 1.3.2007 in so far as not already in force) by National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17), ss. 6(2), 42(3), Sch. 5 para. 25, Sch. 9 Pt. 1; S.I. 2002/2532, art. 2, Sch.; S.I. 2006/1407, art. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 para. 12

F9 S. 16(3)(ba) inserted (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), s. 199(1)(4), Sch. 4 para. 48; S.I. 2004/759, art. 2

F10 S. 16(3)(c) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 22(b); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F11 S. 16(3)(d) and preceding word inserted (10.10.2002 for W., 1.3.2007 in so far as not already in force) by National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17), ss. 6(2), 42(3), Sch. 5 para. 25; S.I. 2002/2532, art. 2, Sch.; S.I. 2006/1407, art. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 para. 12

F12 Words in s. 16(3)(d) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 60(c) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6 S. 16 functions transferred (24.5.2018) by The Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/644), arts. 1(1), 18

Orders subject to special parliamentary procedure E+W

17 Local authority and statutory undertakers’ land. E+W

(1) This section applies to land which—

(a) is the property of a local authority, or

(b) has been acquired by statutory undertakers, who are not a local authority, for the purposes of their undertaking.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, a compulsory purchase order shall, in so far as it authorises the compulsory purchase of land to which this section applies, be subject to special parliamentary procedure in any case where an objection to [F13 the compulsory purchase of the land] has been made by the local authority, or as the case may be the statutory undertakers, and has not been withdrawn.

[F14 (2A) Subsection (3) of section 16 above applies in relation to subsections (1) and (2) above as it applies in relation to the preceding provisions of that section.]

(3) Subsection (2) above shall not apply to the compulsory acquisition of an interest in land where the person acquiring the interest is a local authority (as defined in subsection (4) below) [F15 a National Park authority], [F16 an urban development corporation] [F17 , a Mayoral development corporation] [F18 , F19 ...,]. . . F20 . . ., [F21 a Welsh planning board,] any statutory undertakers or a Minister.

(4) In subsection (3) above—

• “local authority” means—

  (a)

  in relation to England, the council of a county or district [F22 the Broads Authority], the council of a London borough, the Common Council of the City of London, [F23 a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004,] [F24 the London Fire Commissioner,] F25 .... . . [F26 . . . F27 , a joint authority established by Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1985 [F28 , a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act or a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023],

  (b)

  in relation to Wales, the council of a county or [F29 county borough], [F30 or a police authority established under [F31 section 3 of the Police Act 1996]]. . .

  and this definition applies to the Isles of Scilly as if the Council of those Isles were the council of a county;

• “statutory undertakers” includes—

  (a)

  F32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (aa)

  [F33 a National Health Service trust established under [F34 section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006 or section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006], and]

  (aab)

  [F35 an NHS foundation trust,]

  (ab)

  [F36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  (ac)

  the Schools Funding Council for Wales,]

  (ad)

  F37 ...

  (ae)

  [F38 NHS England],

  (af)

  [F39 an integrated care board established under section 14Z25 of the National Health Service Act 2006,]

  (b)

  any other authority, body or undertakers specified in an order made by the Secretary of State under this paragraph.

• [F40 “a Welsh planning board” means a board constituted under—

  (a)

  section 2(1B) of the M1 Town and Country Planning Act 1990; F41

  (b)

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

(5) An order under paragraph (b) of the definition of “statutory undertakers” in subsection (4) above shall be made by statutory instrument and shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F13 Words in s. 17(2) substituted (25.6.2013) by Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27), ss. 25(7)(a), 35(1); S.I. 2013/1488, art. 3(e) (with art. 8(3))

F14 S. 17(2A) inserted by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 60(2), Sch. 8 Pt. II para. 8(2)

F15 Words in s. 17(3) inserted (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 21(1)(with Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2

F16 Words in s. 17(3) inserted (25.09.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 28:1), s. 70, Sch. 15, para. 11; S.I. 1991/2067, art. 3.

F17 Words in s. 17(3) inserted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(1)(l), Sch. 22 para. 7(2)

F18 Words in s. 17(3) inserted (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 128, Sch. 14 Pt. II para. 17 (with ss. 139(2), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 4

F19 Words in s. 17(3) omitted (1.4.2006) by virtue of The Welsh Development Agency (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3226), arts. 1(2), 7, Sch. 2 para. 9(1) (with art. 3(1))

F20 Words in s. 17(3) repealed (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(3), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/2560, art. 2, Sch.

F21 Words in s. 17(3) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 20(4), Sch. 6 Pt. II para. 17(1)(a)(with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.

F22 Words inserted by Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4, SIF 81:1), s. 21, Sch. 6 para. 22

F23 Words in s. 17(4) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 43; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F24 Words in s. 17(4) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 64; S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F25 Words in s. 17(4) omitted (22.11.2012) by virtue of Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 143; S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(i)

F26 Words inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 84, Sch. 14 Pt. II para. 60

F27 Words repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), s. 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I

F28 Words in s. 17(4)(a) substituted (26.12.2023) by virtue of Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 69 (with s. 247)

F29 S. 17(4): words in para. (b) in definition of “local authority” substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 64(1)(with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.

F30 S. 17(4): words in para. (b) in definition of “local authority” inserted (1.10.1994 for specified purposes, otherwise 1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, s. 43, Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 55(b); S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch.

F31 S. 17(4): words in paras. (a)(b) in definition of “local authority” substituted (1.4.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103, 104(1)(2), Sch. 7 Pt. I para. 1(2)(q)

F32 S. 17(4): para. (a) in definition of “statutory undertaker” repealed (31.10.1994) by 1994 c. 21, s. 67, Sch. 9 para. 27(1), Sch. 11 Pt. II (with s. 40(7)); S.I. 1994/2553, art. 2

F33 Paragraph (aa) inserted by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 66(1), Sch. 9 para. 23

F34 Words in s. 17(4) substituted (1.3.2007) by National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), s. 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 61(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F35 Words in s. 17(4) inserted (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), s. 199(1)(4), Sch. 4 para. 49; S.I. 2004/759, art. 2

F36 S. 17(4): paras. (ab)(ac) in definition of "statutory undertakers" inserted (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 56, ss. 582(1), 583(2), Sch. 37 Pt. I para. 51(2)(with s. 1(4), Sch. 39) and para. (ab)(ac) repealed (1.9.1999 in relation to para. (ab)) by 1998 c. 31, ss. 140(3), 145(3), Sch. 31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F37 Words in s. 17(4) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 306(4), Sch. 5 para. 23(a); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F38 Words in s. 17 substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 1 para. 1(1)(2); S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)

F39 Words in s. 17(4) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 4 para. 22; S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)

F40 S. 17(4): definition of “a Welsh planning board” added (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 20(4), Sch. 6 Pt. II para. 17(1)(b)(with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 22(3)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch.

F41 S. 17(4): para. (b) and word “or” immediately preceding it in definition of “a Welsh planning board” repealed (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(3), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117): S.I. 1996/2560, art. 2, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 17(3) modified by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 78(1), Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 3

S. 17(3) modified (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 169, Sch. 20 Pt. I para. 3; S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3.

C8 S. 17(4) extended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 4(t)

Marginal Citations

M1 1990 c. 8.

18 National Trust land. E+W

(1) This section applies to land belonging to the National Trust which is held by the Trust inalienably.

(2) A compulsory purchase order shall, in so far as it authorises the compulsory purchase of land to which this section applies, be subject to special parliamentary procedure in any case where an objection to [F42 the compulsory purchase of the land] has been duly made by the National Trust and has not been withdrawn.

(3) In this section “held inalienably”, in relation to land belonging to the National Trust, means that the land is inalienable under section 21 of the M2 National Trust Act 1907 or section 8 of the M3 National Trust Act 1939.

Textual Amendments

F42 Words in s. 18(2) substituted (25.6.2013) by Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27), ss. 25(7)(a), 35(1); S.I. 2013/1488, art. 3(e) (with art. 8(3))

Marginal Citations

M2 1907 c. cxxxvi.

M3 1939 c. lxxxvi.

19 Commons, open spaces etc. E+W

(1) In so far as a compulsory purchase order authorises the purchase of any land forming part of a common, open space or fuel or field garden allotment, the order shall be subject to special parliamentary procedure unless the Secretary of State is satisfied—

(a) that there has been or will be given in exchange for such land, other land, not being less in area and being equally advantageous to the persons, if any, entitled to rights of common or other rights, and to the public, and that the land given in exchange has been or will be vested in the persons in whom the land purchased was vested, and subject to the like rights, trusts and incidents as attach to the land purchased, or

F43 [(aa) that the land is being purchased in order to secure its preservation or improve its management]

(b) that the land does not exceed 250 square yards in extent or is required for the widening or drainage of an existing highway or partly for the widening and partly for the drainage of such a highway and that the giving in exchange of other land is unnecessary, whether in the interests of the persons, if any, entitled to rights of common or other rights or in the interests of the public,

and certifies accordingly.

(2) Where it is proposed to give a certificate under this section, the Secretary of State shall [F44 direct the acquiring authority to] give public notice of his intention so to do, and—

(a) after affording opportunity to all persons interested to make representations and objections in relation thereto, and

(b) after causing a public local inquiry to be held in any case where it appears to him to be expedient so to do, having regard to any representations or objections made,

the Secretary of State may, after considering any representations and objections made and, if an inquiry has been held, the report of the person who held the inquiry, give the certificate.

F45 [(2A) Notice under subsection (2) above shall be given in such form and manner as the Secretary of State may direct.]

(3) A compulsory purchase order may provide for—

(a) vesting land given in exchange as mentioned in subsection (1) above in the persons, and subject to the rights, trusts and incidents, therein mentioned, and

(b) discharging the land purchased from all rights, trusts and incidents to which it was previously subject [F46 except where the Secretary of State has given a certificate under subsection (1)(aa) above.].

(4) In this section—

• “common” includes any land subject to be enclosed under the Inclosure Acts 1845 to 1882, and any town or village green,

• “fuel or field garden allotment” means any allotment set out as a fuel allotment, or a field garden allotment, under an Inclosure Act,

• “open space” means any land laid out as a public garden, or used for the purposes of public recreation, or land being a disused burial ground.

Textual Amendments

F43 S. 19(1)(aa) inserted (25.09.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 28:1), s. 70, Sch. 15, para. 12(1)(a); S.I. 1991/2067, art.3.

F44 Words in s. 19(2) inserted (25.09.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 28:1), s. 70, Sch. 15, para. 12(1)(b); S.I. 1991/2067, art. 3

F45 S. 19(2A) inserted (25.09.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 28:1), s. 70, Sch. 15 para. 12(1)(c); S.I. 1991/2067, art.3.

F46 Words in s. 19(3) added (25.09.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 28:1), s. 70, Sch. 15, para. 12(1)(d);S.I. 1991/2067, art.3.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 19 applied by Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8, SIF 123:1), s. 229(3)

C10 S. 19 excluded (with effect in accordance with s. 40(9)(a) of the amending Act) by London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 (c. 12), ss. 36(3)(a), 40(1)(f)

C11 S. 19 modified (9.1.2014) by The Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and Bristol City Centre Rapid Transit Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3244), arts. 1, 34(4) (with arts. 57, 58, Sch. 11 para. 19)

F47 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F47 S. 20 repealed (24.09.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 28:1), ss. 70, 84(6), Sch. 15, para. 28, Sch. 19, PartIII; S.I. 1991/2067, art.3.

21 Land within more than one provision in Part III. E+W

In the case of land falling within more than one of sections 17 to 20 above a compulsory purchase order shall be subject to special parliamentary procedure if required to be subject thereto by any of those sections.

Supplemental E+W

22 Notice of giving of certificate. E+W

As soon as may be after the giving of a certificate under this Part of this Act, the acquiring authority shall publish—

[F48 (a)] in one or more local newspapers circulating in the locality in which the land comprised in the order is situated [F49 , and

(b) on an appropriate website, until the end of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the day on which the certificate is given,]

a notice in the prescribed form stating that the certificate has been given.

Textual Amendments

F48 Words in s. 22 renumbered as s. 22(a) (31.1.2024 for specified purposes, 30.4.2024 for E. in so far as not already in force) by Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 181(7)(a), 255(7) (with s. 247); S.I. 2024/92, reg. 2(j); S.I. 2024/389, reg. 3(a) (with reg. 4)

F49 S. 22(b) and word inserted (31.1.2024 for specified purposes, 30.4.2024 for E. in so far as not already in force) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 181(7)(b), 255(7) (with s. 247); S.I. 2024/92, reg. 2(j); S.I. 2024/389, reg. 3(a) (with reg. 4)