The National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) Order 2024

Application of the 1965 Act

12.  For Schedule 2A of the 1965 Act substitute—

“SCHEDULE 2A COUNTER-NOTICE REQUIRING PURCHASE OF LAND

Introduction

1.   This Schedule applies where an acquiring authority serves a notice to treat in respect of a right over, or restrictive covenant affecting, the whole or part of a house, building or factory and have not executed a general vesting declaration under section 4 of the 1981 Act as applied by article 34 (application of the 1981 Act) of the National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) Order 2024 in respect of the land to which the notice to treat relates.

2.   In this Schedule, “house” includes any park or garden belonging to a house.

Counter-notice requiring purchase of land

3.   A person who is able to sell the house, building or factory (“the owner”) may serve a counter-notice requiring the authority to purchase the owner’s interest in the house, building or factory.

4.   A counter-notice under paragraph 3 must be served within the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice to treat was served.

Response to counter-notice

5.   On receiving a counter-notice, the acquiring authority must decide whether to—

(a) withdraw the notice to treat,

(b) accept the counter-notice, or

(c) refer the counter-notice to the Upper Tribunal.

6.   The authority must serve notice of its decision on the owner within the period of three months beginning with the day on which the counter-notice is served (“the decision period”).

7.   If the authority decides to refer the counter-notice to the Upper Tribunal it must do so within the decision period.

8.   If the authority does not serve notice of a decision within the decision period it is to be treated as if it had served notice of a decision to withdraw the notice to treat at the end of that period.

9.   If the authority serves notice of a decision to accept the counter-notice, the compulsory purchase order and the notice to treat are to have effect as if they included the owner’s interest in the house, building or factory.

Determination by Upper Tribunal

10.   On referral under paragraph 7, the Upper Tribunal must determine whether the acquisition of the right or the imposition of the restrictive covenant would—

(a) in the case of a house, building or factory, cause medical detriment to the house, building or factory, or

(b) in the case of a park or garden, seriously affect the amenity or convenience of the house to which the park or garden belongs.

11.   In making its determination, the Upper Tribunal must take into account—

(a) the effect of the acquisition of the right or the imposition of the covenant,

(b) the use to be made of the right or covenant proposed to be acquired or imposed, and

(c) if the right or covenant is proposed to be acquired or imposed for works or other purposes extending to other land, the effect of the whole of the works and the use of the other land.

12.   If the Upper Tribunal determines that the acquisition of the right or the imposition of the covenant would have either of the consequences described in paragraph 10, it must determine how much of the house, building or factory the authority ought to be required to take.

13.   If the Upper Tribunal determines that the authority ought to be required to take some or all of the house, building or factory, the compulsory purchase order and the notice to treat are to have effect as if they included the owner’s interest in that land.

14.— (1) If the Upper Tribunal determines that the authority ought to be required to take some or all of the house, building or factory, the authority may at any time within the period of six weeks beginning with the day on which the Upper Tribunal make its determination withdraw the notice to treat in relation to that land.

(2) If the acquiring authority withdraws the notice to treat under this paragraph they must pay the person on whom the notice was served compensation for any loss or expense caused by the giving and withdrawal of the notice.

15.   Any dispute as to the compensation is to be determined by the Upper Tribunal.”.