New Towns Act 1981

17 Conditions as to disposal. E+W

(1) In relation to any land acquired by a development corporation, and—

(a) subject to this section and to any direction given by the Secretary of State under this Act, and

(b) whether or not, in the case of land within the area of the new town, the development of that particular land has been proposed or approved under section 7(1) above,

the development corporation may dispose of that land—

(i) to such persons,

(ii) in such manner,

(iii) subject to such covenants or conditions,

as they consider expedient for securing the development of the new town in accordance with proposals approved by the Secretary of State under that section 7(1), or for purposes connected with the development of the new town.

(2) A development corporation has no power, except with the Secretary of State’s consent (given generally or specially)—

(a) to transfer the freehold of any land, or

(b) to grant a lease of any land for a term of more than 99 years [F1 or

(c) to dispose of any land by way of gift].

(3) Where a development corporation purports to dispose of land by virtue of this section, then—

(a) in favour of any person claiming under the corporation, the disposal so purporting to be made shall not be invalid by reason that any consent which is required under subsection (2) above has not been given; and

(b) a person dealing with the corporation or a person claiming under the corporation shall not be concerned to see or enquire whether any such consent has been given.

[F2 (4) A development corporation has no power to dispose of land by way of mortgage or charge.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word “or” and s. 17(2)(c) added by New Towns and Urban Development Corporations Act 1985 (c. 5, SIF 123:3, 4), s. 14(1), Sch. 3 para. 2(a)

F2 S. 17(4) substituted by New Towns and Urban Development Corporations Act 1985 (c. 5, SIF 123:3, 4), s. 14(1), Sch. 3 para 2(b)