Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023

185 Time limits for implementation

(1) In the Acquisition of Land Act 1981—

(a) after section 13C insert—

“13D Power to extend time limit for implementation

(1) The confirming authority may, when it confirms a compulsory purchase order, include provision in the order specifying a period longer than three years for the purposes of section 4 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 (time limit for notice to treat) and section 5A of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 (time limit for general vesting declaration).

(2) No such provision is to be included by the acquiring authority in the order submitted for confirmation.”;

(b) in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 (preliminary provision about compulsory purchase by Ministers), after sub-paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) The order may, in particular, include provision specifying a period longer than three years for the purposes of section 4 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 (time limit for notice to treat) and section 5A of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 (time limit for general vesting declaration).”

(2) In the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965—

(a) in section 4 (time limit for notice to treat)—

(i) the existing text becomes subsection (1);

(ii) in that subsection, for “period of 3 years” substitute “applicable period”;

(iii) after that subsection insert—

“(2) The applicable period is—

(a) 3 years, or

(b) such longer period as is specified in the order for the purposes of this section.”;

(b) in section 4A (extension of time limit during challenge), in subsection (1), for “three year period mentioned in” substitute “applicable period for the purposes of”.

(3) In the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981—

(a) in section 5A (time limit for general vesting declaration)—

(i) the existing text becomes subsection (1);

(ii) in that subsection, for “period of 3 years” substitute “applicable period”;

(iii) after that subsection insert—

“(2) The applicable period is—

(a) 3 years, or

(b) such longer period as is specified in the order for the purposes of this section.”;

(b) in section 5B (extension of time limit during challenge), in subsection (1), for “three year period mentioned in” substitute “applicable period for the purposes of”.

(4) In section 582 of the Housing Act 1985 (suspension of recovery of possession of certain premises when compulsory purchase order made)—

(a) in subsection (2)(a), for “third anniversary of” substitute “final day of the period of three years beginning with”;

(b) after subsection (6) insert—

“(6A) If the compulsory purchase order specifies a period longer than three years under section 13D of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, the references in this section to the period of three years are to be read as references to the period specified in the order.”