In section 11 (powers of entry), after subsection (1B) (inserted by section 186 of this Act), insert—

“(1C)

A notice of entry under subsection (1) must explain the effect of section 11B (counter-notice requiring possession to be taken on specified date) and give an address at which the acquiring authority may be served with a counter-notice.”

After section 11A (inserted by section 186 above) insert—

“11BCounter-notice requiring possession to be taken on specified date

(1)

Where an acquiring authority serve a notice of entry under section 11(1) on an occupier with an interest in land, the occupier may serve a counter-notice requiring the acquiring authority to take possession of the land by no later than a date specified in the counter-notice.

(2)

If the occupier gives up possession of the land on or before the specified date the acquiring authority are to be treated as having taken possession on that date (unless the acquiring authority has in fact taken possession before that date).

(3)

The date specified in the counter-notice—

(a)

must not be before the end of the period specified in the notice of entry under section 11(1), and

(b)

must be at least 28 days after the day on which the counter-notice is served.

(4)

A counter-notice under subsection (1) has no effect if the notice to treat relating to the land is withdrawn or ceases to have effect before the date specified in the counter-notice.

(5)

A counter-notice under subsection (1) has no effect if it would require an acquiring authority to take possession of land at a time when section 11A or paragraph 6 of Schedule 2A prohibit the authority from entering on and taking possession of the land.

(6)

If subsection (5) applies, the authority must notify the occupier who served the counter-notice—

(a)

that the counter-notice has no effect, and

(b)

if the authority serve a notice of entry as mentioned in section 11A(2)(b), of the date after which the authority could enter on and take possession of the land.

(7)

If a counter-notice served under subsection (1) has no effect because of subsection (5), the occupier who served it may serve a further counter-notice.

(8)

Where a notice of entry under section 11(1) is served on more than one occupier with the same interest in the land, a reference in this section to the occupier with an interest in land is to all of them acting together.”