(1)Where a building to which a compulsory purchase order under section 290 applies (acquisition of land for clearance) becomes a listed building at any time after the making of the order, the authority making the order may, within the period of three months beginning with the date on which the building becomes a listed building, apply to the Secretary of State (and only to him) under section 55 of the [1971 c. 78.] Town and Country Planning Act 1971 (listed building consent) for his consent to the demolition of the building.
(2)If the authority have not served notice to treat in respect of the building under section 5 of the [1965 c. 56.] Compulsory Purchase Act 1965, they shall not do so unless and until the Secretary of State gives that consent.
(3)The following provisions of this section have effect where—
(a)an application for such consent is made and refused, or
(b)the period for making an application expires without the authority having made an application;
and in those provisions “the relevant date” means the date of the refusal or, as the case may be, the expiry of that period.
(4)If at the relevant date—
(a)the building has not vested in the authority, and
(b)no notice to treat has been served by the authority under section 5 of the [1965 c. 56.] Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 in respect of an interest in the building.
the compulsory purchase order shall cease to have effect in relation to the building and, where applicable, the building shall cease to be comprised in a clearance area.
(5)Where a building which was included in a clearance area solely be reason of its being unfit for human habitation ceases to be comprised in the area by virtue of subsection (4), the authority concerned shall forthwith take whichever of the following steps is appropriate—
(a)serve a notice in respect of the building under section 189 (repair notice), or
(b)make a closing order in respect of the building under section 265.
(6)Where subsection (4) does not apply, the authority shall cease to be subject to the duty imposed by section 291 (method of dealing with land acquired for clearance) to demolish the building, and—
(a)if the building or an interest in it is vested in the authority at the relevant date, it shall be treated in the case of a house as appropriated to the purposes of Part II of this Act (provision of housing accommodation) and in any other case as appropriated to the purposes of Part VI of the [1971 c. 78.] Town and Country Planning Act 1971 (planning purposes);
(b)in relation to an interest in the building which has not at the relevant date vested in the authority, the compulsory purchase order has effect in the case of a house as if made and confirmed under Part II of this Act and in any other case as if made and confirmed under Part VI of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.
(7)No account shall be taken for the purposes of section 4 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 (time limit for completing compulsory purchase) of any period during which an authority are prevented by this section from serving a notice to treat under section 5 of that Act.