Regional Development Agencies Act 1998

14 (1) Where, on a representation made by statutory undertakers, the appropriate Minister is satisfied that the fulfilment of any obligations incurred by those undertakers in connection with the carrying on of their undertaking has been rendered impracticable by an act or event to which this sub-paragraph applies, the appropriate Minister may, if he thinks fit, by order direct that the statutory undertakers shall be relieved of the fulfilment of that obligation, either absolutely or to such extent as may be specified in the order.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) applies to the following acts and events—

(a) the vesting in or acquisition by a regional development agency under this Act of any land in which an interest was held, or which was used, for the purpose of the carrying on of the undertaking of the statutory undertakers, and

(b) the extinguishment of a right or the imposition of any requirement by virtue of paragraph 9.

(3) As soon as may be after making a representation to the appropriate Minister under sub-paragraph (1), the statutory undertakers shall, as may be directed by the appropriate Minister, do either or both of the following, that is to say—

(a) publish (in such form and manner as may be so directed) a notice—

(i) giving such particulars as may be so directed of the matters to which the representation relates, and

(ii) specifying the time within which, and the manner in which, objections to the making of an order on the representation may be made, and

(b) serve a like notice on such persons, or persons of such classes, as may be so directed.

(4) If any objection to the making of an order under this paragraph is duly made and is not withdrawn before the order is made, the order shall be subject to special parliamentary procedure.

(5) Immediately after an order is made under this paragraph by the appropriate Minister, he shall publish a notice stating that the order has been made and naming a place where a copy of it may be seen at all reasonable hours, and shall serve a like notice—

(a) on any person who duly made an objection to the order and has sent to the appropriate Minister a request in writing to serve him with the notice required by this sub-paragraph, specifying an address for service, and

(b) on such other persons (if any) as the appropriate Minister thinks fit.

(6) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, an order under this paragraph shall become operative on the date on which the notice required by sub-paragraph (5) is first published.

(7) Where in accordance with sub-paragraph (4) the order is subject to special parliamentary procedure, sub-paragraph (6) shall not apply.

(8) If any person aggrieved by an order under this paragraph wishes to question the validity of the order on the ground—

(a) that it is not within the powers conferred by this paragraph, or

(b) that any requirement of this paragraph has not been complied with in relation to the order,

he may, within 6 weeks from the date on which the notice required by sub-paragraph (5) is first published, make an application to the High Court under this paragraph.

(9) On any application under sub-paragraph (8) the High Court—

(a) may by interim order wholly or in part suspend the operation of the order, either generally or in so far as it affects any property of the applicant, until the final determination of the proceedings, and

(b) if satisfied—

(i) that the order is wholly or to any extent outside the powers conferred by this paragraph, or

(ii) that the interests of the applicant have been substantially prejudiced by the failure to comply with any requirement of this paragraph,

may wholly or in part quash the order, either generally or in so far as it affects any property of the applicant.

(10) Subject to sub-paragraph (8), the validity of an order under this paragraph shall not be questioned in any legal proceedings whatsoever, either before or after the order has been made.