- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (23/02/2017)
- Original (As enacted)
Acquisition of Land Act 1981
You are here:
- UK Public General Acts
- 1981 c. 67
- Introduction
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
More Resources
Changes over time for: Introductory Text
Version Superseded: 03/04/2017
Alternative versions:
- 01/02/1991- Amendment
- 01/12/1991- Amendment
- 25/07/2003- Amendment
- 29/12/2003- Amendment
- 01/04/2004- Amendment
- 03/08/2005- Amendment
- 01/03/2007- Amendment
- 16/05/2008- Amendment
- 22/07/2008- Amendment
- 01/12/2008- Amendment
- 01/04/2010- Amendment
- 01/02/2012- Amendment
- 01/10/2014- Amendment
- 31/01/2017- Amendment
- 23/02/2017- Amendment
- 23/02/2017
Point in time - 03/04/2017- Amendment
- 30/11/2017- Amendment
- 08/12/2017- Amendment
- 11/02/2021- Amendment
- 26/12/2023- Amendment
Status:
Point in time view as at 23/02/2017.
Changes to legislation:
There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Acquisition of Land Act 1981. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
Acquisition of Land Act 1981
1981 CHAPTER 67
An Act to consolidate the Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) Act 1946 and related enactments.
[30th October 1981]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act applied (with modifications) by Housing Act 1985 (c. 68, SIF 61), s. 578, by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 190(6), 201(6), by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), ss. 77(4), 78(1), Sch. 10 Pt. I para. 1, by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), ss. 10(1)(2), 112(3), Sch. 3 Pt. II para. 5, Sch. 17 para. 35(1) and by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 1(2), Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 26(2)(3)
C2Act applied by Housing Associations Act 1985 (c. 69, SIF 61), s. 88(3)(a), by Airports Act 1986 (c. 31, SIF 9), s. 59(1)(a), by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 9(3), Sch. 3 Pt. II para. 4, by Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4, SIF 81:1), ss. 2(6), 23(2), 27(2), Sch. 3 para. 44(4), by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 151(4) (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), by Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8, SIF 123:1), ss. 226(7), 228(7), 254(2) and by Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (c.9, SIF 123:1), ss. 47(2), 61(2)
C3Act extended by Airports Act 1986 (c. 31, SIF 9), s. 58, Sch. 2 para. 1(1), by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 2(1)(xlii), Sch. 8 para. 33 and by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 190, Sch. 25 para. 1(2)(xxvii) (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)
C4Act modified by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 2 (10)(d), by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 190, Sch. 25 para. 1(10)(ix) (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) and by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 3(2)(h), Sch. 17 paras. 33, 35(1)
C5Act amended by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 190, Sch. 25 para. 1(11)(v) (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) and by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 2(2)(9)(g), Sch. 17 paras. 33, 35(1) and extended (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 2(1)(xxxi); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2
C6Power to modify Act conferred (1.12.1991) by Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59, SIF 73:1), ss. 62(5)(b), 76(2) (with ss. 67(3)(5)(8))
C7Act applied (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 155(4), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 14 para. 6)
Act applied (with modifications) (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 154(4), 225(2) (with saving in s. 182 and with ss. 16(6), 179, 222(3), Sch. 22 para. 1, Sch. 23 para. 6)
Act applied (1.12.1991) by Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59, SIF 73:1), ss. 62(3), 76(2)(with ss. 67(3)(5)(8), 72(6), 74(3)(4)) Act applied (with modifications) (6. 5. 1992) by Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (c. 13), s. 40(6); S.I. 1992/831, art. 2, Sch.1
Act applied (with modifications) (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, ss. 162(4), 169, Sch. 20 Pt. I; S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3.
Act applied (with modifications) (1.1.1994) by 1993 c. 35, s. 42(6) (with s. 155(11)); S.I. 1993/3106, art. 4, Sch.
Act applied (1.4.1994) by 1993 c. 35, ss. 3, 4, 308(3), Sch. 1 para. 2(2); S.I. 1994/507, art. 4, Sch. 2
Act applied (E.W.) (with modifications) (30.10.1994) by S.I. 1994/2716, art. 98(3)
Act applied (with modifications) (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 2(11)(d); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2
Act applied (1.11.1996) by 1995 c. 45, ss. 20, 21, Sch. 2 para. 3(2)
Act applied (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 20, 21, 583(2), Sch. 2 para. 3(2) (with s. 1(4)) (which Sch. 2 is prospectively repealed by 1998 c. 31, ss. 140(1)(3), 145(2)-(5) Sch. 30 para. 185, Sch. 31)
Act applied (with modifications) (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 205(6), 583(2) (with s. 1(4)) (which s. 205 is prospectively repealed by 1998 c. 31, ss. 145(4)(5), 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 70, Sch. 31)
Act applied (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 5(4)
Act applied (with modifications) (1.10.1998) by Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 c. 70, Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 1(1) (as inserted (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 127, Sch. 13 para. 3 (with ss. 139(2), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 4
Act applied (with modifications) (25.11.1998 for specified purposes and otherwise 3.7.2000) by 1998 c. 45, ss. 20(4)(5), 43, Sch. 5 Pt. I; S.I. 1998/2952, art. 2; S.I. 2000/1173, art. 2(c)
Act applied (E.) (4.1.2000) and (W.) (prosp.) by 1977 c. 49, Sch. 5A para. 19(2) (as inserted (E.) (4.1.2000) and (W.) (prosp.) by 1999 c. 8, ss. 2(2), 67(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 1999/2342, art. 2(3)(a), Sch. 2)
Act applied (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 156(8), Sch. 11 para. 19(1)(2) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(c), Sch. Pt. 3
Act applied (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 21, s. 131, Sch. 8 para. 3(6)
Act: applied (with modifications) (E.) (2.3.2001) by S.I. 2001/1368, art. 8
C8Act (except ss. 8(4), 32(6)): transfer of certain functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1
C9Act extended (26.3.2001) by 2000 c. 26, s. 95, Sch. 5, Pt. II para. 4(1); S.I. 2000/2957, art. 2(3), Sch. 3
C10Act applied (26.7.2002) by Education Act 1996 (c. 56), Sch. 35A para. 3(6) (as inserted (26.7.2002) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), s. 65, Sch. 7 Pt. 1 {para. 1} (with ss. 210(8), 214(4)); S.I. 2002/2002, art. 2)
C11Act applied (with modifications) (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 4 para. 3(4) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)
C12Act applied (1.4.2004) by Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), s. 199(1)(4), Sch. 4 para. 46; S.I. 2004/759, art. 2
C13Act applied by 1994 c. 21, s. 4C(4) (as inserted (1.4.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 85(1), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 3(w) (with Sch. 3 para. 7))
C14Act applied (with modifications) (3.8.2005) by The Greater Manchester (Leigh Busway) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1918), art. 22
C15Act applied (coming into force in accordance with s. 208(4) of the amending Act) by National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42), Sch. 3 para. 27 (with s. 19(3))
C16Act applied (coming into force in accordance with s. 208(4) of the amending Act) by National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42), s. 159(5) (with s. 19(3))
C17Act applied (coming into force in accordance with s. 208(4) of the amending Act) by National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42), Sch. 2 para. 20(2) (with s. 19(3))
C18Act applied (1.3.2007) by National Health Service Act 2006 (c. 41), Sch. 3 para. 22(2)
C19Act applied (1.3.2007) by National Health Service Act 2006 (c. 41), Sch. 4 para. 27(2)(3)
C20Act applied (1.3.2007) by National Health Service Act 2006 (c. 41), s. 211(5)
C21Act applied (with modifications) (16.5.2008) by The London Gateway Port Harbour Empowerment Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1261), arts. 30, 33 (with arts. 41(1), 45, 54(2), 55, 56, 57, 58(6))
C22Act applied (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), s. 7(6)
C23Act applied (with modifications) (1.12.2008) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), s. 325(1), Sch. 2 para. 1; S.I. 2008/3068, art. 2(1)(d) (with arts. 6-13)
C24Act applied (1.4.2010) by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/490), reg. 34(5) (with reg. 125)
C25Act applied by 2010 c. 32, Sch. 1 para. 5(6) (as substituted (1.2.2012) by Education Act 2011 (c. 21), s. 82(3), Sch. 14 para. 1; S.I. 2012/84, art. 3 (with art. 5))
C26Act applied (1.10.2014) by Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 6), ss. 56(9), 64(2) (with Sch. 5 para. 7); S.I. 2014/11, art. 3(1)(e)
C27Act applied by 2004 c. 21, s. 4D(16) (as inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 5)
C28Act applied (23.2.2017) by High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 (c. 7), s. 49(3)
Commencement Information
I1Act wholly in force at 30.1.1982, see s. 35(2)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThis Introductory Text only
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.