26.—(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of, or such rights in, the subsoil of the land referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) of article 22 (power to acquire land) as may be required for any purpose for which that land may be acquired under that provision instead of acquiring the whole of the land.
(2) Where the undertaker acquires any part of or rights in the subsoil of land under paragraph (1) it will not be required to acquire an interest in any other part of the land.
(3) The following do not apply in connection with the exercise of the power under paragraph (1) in relation to subsoil or airspace only—
(a)Schedule 2A (counter notice requiring purchase of land not in notice to treat) to the 1965 Act (as modified by article 24 (application of Part 1 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965));
(b)Schedule A1 (counter-notice requiring purchase of land not in general vesting declaration) to the 1981 Act (as modified by article 25 (application of the 1981 Act)); and
(c)section 153(4A) (blighted land: proposed acquisition of part interest; material detriment test) of the 1990 Act.
(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) are to be disregarded where the undertaker acquires a cellar vault, arch or other construction forming part of a house, building or manufactory.
(5) Schedule 8 contains provision which in certain cases restricts the power under article 22 to the subsoil or under-surface of the land as lies more than 9 metres below the level of the surface.