Town and Country Planning Act 1990

231 Power of Secretary of State to require acquisition or development of land

(1) If the Secretary of State is satisfied after holding a local inquiry that the council of a county, district or London borough have failed to take steps for the acquisition of any land which in his opinion ought to be acquired by them under section 226 for a purpose which it is necessary to achieve in the interests of the proper planning of an area in which the land is situated, he may by order require the council to take such steps as may be specified in the order for acquiring the land.

(2) If the Secretary of State is satisfied after holding a local inquiry that a local authority have failed to carry out, on land acquired by them under section 226 (or section 68 of the 1962 Act or section 112 of the 1971 Act) or appropriated by them under section 229 (or section 121 of the 1971 Act), any development which in his opinion ought to be carried out, he may by order require the authority to take such steps as may be specified in the order for carrying out the development.

(3) An order under this section shall be enforceable on the application of the Secretary of State by mandamus.