The River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order 2011

PART 3 ACQUISITION AND POSSESSION OF LAND

Powers of acquisition

Power to acquire land

21.—(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of the land shown on the land plans within the limits of land to be acquired or used and described in the book of reference as may be required for the purposes of the authorised works and may use any land so acquired for those purposes or for any other purposes that are ancillary to its undertaking.

(2) This article is subject to article 28 (temporary use of land for construction of works).

Application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act

22.—(1) Part 1 of the 1965 Act, in so far as not modified by or inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, shall apply to the acquisition of land under this Order—

(a) as it applies to a compulsory purchase to which the Acquisition of Land Act 1981(1) applies; and

(b) as if this Order were a compulsory purchase order under that Act.

(2) Part 1 of the 1965 Act, as so applied, shall have effect as if section 4 (which provides a time limit for compulsory purchase of land) and paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 3 (which makes provision as to the giving of bonds) were omitted.

Application of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981

23.—(1) The Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981(2) shall apply as if this Order were a compulsory purchase order.

(2) The Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981, as applied by paragraph (1), shall have effect with the following modifications.

(3) In section 3 (preliminary notices) for subsection (1) there shall be substituted—

“(1) Before making a declaration under section 4 with respect to any land which is subject to a compulsory purchase order the acquiring authority shall include the particulars specified in subsection (3) in a notice which is—

(a) given to every person with a relevant interest in the land with respect to which the declaration is to be made (other than a mortgagee who is not in possession); and

(b) published in a local newspaper circulating in the area in which the land is   situated.”.

(4) In that section, in subsection (2), for “(l)(b)” there shall be substituted “(1)” and after “given” there shall be inserted “and published”.

(5) In that section, for subsections (5) and (6) there shall be substituted—

“(5) For the purposes of this section, a person has a relevant interest in land if—

(a) that person is for the time being entitled to dispose of the fee simple of the land, whether in possession or in reversion; or

(b) that person holds, or is entitled to the rents and profits of, the land under a lease or agreement, the unexpired term of which exceeds one month.”.

(6) In section 5 (earliest date for execution of declaration)—

(a) in subsection (1), after “publication” there shall be inserted “in a local newspaper circulating in the area in which the land is situated”; and

(b) subsection (2) shall be omitted.

(7) In section 7 (constructive notice to treat) in subsection (l)(a), the words “(as modified by section 4 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981)” shall be omitted.

(8) References to the 1965 Act shall be construed as references to that Act as applied to the acquisition of land under article 21 (power to acquire land).

Power to acquire new rights

24.—(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily such easements or other rights over any land referred to in paragraph (l) of article 21 (power to acquire land) as may be required for any purpose for which that land may be acquired under that provision, by creating them as well as by acquiring easements or other rights already in existence.

(2) Subject to section 8 of the 1965 Act (as substituted by paragraph 5 of Schedule 6 (modification of compensation and compulsory purchase enactments for creation of new rights)) where the undertaker acquires a right over land under paragraph (1) the undertaker shall not be required to acquire a greater interest in that land.

(3) Schedule 6 shall have effect for the purpose of modifying the enactments relating to compensation and the provisions of the 1965 Act in their application in relation to the compulsory acquisition under this article of a right over land by the creation of a new right.

Rights under or over streets

25.—(1) The undertaker may enter upon and appropriate so much of the subsoil of, or air-space over, any street within the Order limits as may be required for the purposes of the authorised works and may use the subsoil or air-space for those purposes or any other purpose ancillary to its undertaking.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), the power under paragraph (1) may be exercised in relation to a street without the undertaker being required to acquire any part of the street or any easement or right in the street.

(3) Subject to paragraph (5), any person who is an owner or occupier of land in respect of which the power of appropriation conferred by paragraph (1) is exercised without the undertaker acquiring any part of that person’s interest in the land, and who suffers loss by the exercise of that power, shall be entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(4) Paragraph (2) shall not apply in relation to—

(a) any subway or underground building; or

(b) any cellar, vault, arch or other construction in, on or under a street which forms part of a building fronting onto the street.

(5) Compensation shall not be payable under paragraph (3) to any person who is an undertaker to whom section 85 of the 1991 Act applies in respect of measures of which the allowable costs are to be borne in accordance with that section.

Open Space at Widnes

26.—(1) The Widnes special category land shall not vest in the undertaker until the undertaker has acquired the Widnes exchange land.

(2) Upon the vesting of the Widnes special category land in the undertaker it shall be discharged from all rights, trusts and incidents to which it was previously subject.

(3) The undertaker shall lay out the Widnes exchange land as replacement open space before the authorised works are first brought into use.

(4) Upon completion of the laying out of the Widnes exchange land as open space to the satisfaction of the local planning authority, the local planning authority shall issue a certificate to that effect.

(5) Upon the date of the certificate issued pursuant to paragraph (4)—

(a) parcel E1 of the Widnes exchange land shall vest in the person who is the owner of parcels 176 and 177 at the date of the vesting pursuant to paragraph (1) subject to the like rights, trusts and incidents as previously attached to the Widnes special category land; and

(b) parcel E2 of the Widnes exchange land shall vest in the person who is the owner of parcels 178 and 181 at the date of the vesting pursuant to paragraph (1) subject to the like rights, trusts and incidents as previously attached to the Widnes special category land.

(6) In this article—

“the Widnes Existing Open Space Plan” and “the Widnes Exchange Land Plan” mean the plans certified by the Secretary of State as those plans for the purposes of this Order;

“the Widnes special category land” means the land described as open space and coloured green on the plan entitled “Widnes Existing Open Space Plan”;

“the Widnes exchange land” means the land described as replacement open space and marked E1 and E2 on the plan entitled “Widnes Exchange Land Plan”;

“parcel E1” means the area of the Widnes exchange land marked E1 on the Widnes Exchange Land Plan; and

“parcel E2” means the area of the Widnes exchange land marked E2 on the Widnes Exchange Land Plan.

Open Space on Wigg Island

27.—(1) The Wigg Island special category land shall not vest in the undertaker until the undertaker has acquired the Wigg Island exchange land.

(2) Upon the vesting of the Wigg Island special category land in the undertaker it shall be discharged from all rights, trusts and incidents to which it was previously subject.

(3) The undertaker shall lay out the Wigg Island exchange land as replacement open space before the authorised works are first brought into use.

(4) Upon completion of the laying out of the Wigg Island exchange land as open space to the satisfaction of the local planning authority, the local planning authority shall issue a certificate to that effect.

(5) Upon the date of the certificate issued pursuant to paragraph (4) the Wigg Island exchange land shall vest in the person who is the owner of the Wigg Island special category land at the date of the vesting pursuant to paragraph (1) and shall be subject to the like rights, trusts and incidents as previously attached to the Wigg Island special category land, with the exception of the Section 19(1)(b) land which shall remain discharged from all rights, trusts and incidents to which it was previously subject.

(6) In this article—

“the Wigg Island Existing Open Space Plan” and “the Wigg Island Exchange Land Plan” mean the plans certified by the Secretary of State as those plans for the purposes of this Order;

“the Wigg Island special category land” means the land described as open space and coloured green on the plan entitled “Wigg Island Existing Open Space Plan”;

“the Wigg Island exchange land” means the land described as replacement open space and marked E1, and E2 on the plan entitled “Wigg Island Exchange Land Plan”; and

“the Section 19(1)(b) land” means part of the land delineated on the Wigg Island Existing Open Space Plan which the Secretary of State has certified as not exceeding 209 square metres and that the giving in exchange of other land for the Section 19(1)(b) special category land is unnecessary for the purposes of section 19(1) of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.

Temporary possession of land

Temporary use of land for construction of works

28.—(1) The undertaker may, in connection with the carrying out of the authorised works—

(a) enter upon and take temporary possession of the land specified in columns (1) and (2) of Schedule 7 (land of which temporary possession may be taken) for the purpose specified in relation to that land in column (3) of that Schedule relating to the authorised works specified in column (4) of that Schedule;

(b) remove any buildings and vegetation from that land;

(c) construct temporary works (including the provision of means of access) and buildings on that land; and

(d) use the land for the purposes of a working site with access to the working site for construction purposes in connection with the authorised works.

(2) Not less than 14 days before entering upon and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker shall serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land.

(3) The undertaker may not, without the agreement of the owners of the land, remain in possession of any land under this article after the end of the period of one year beginning with the date of completion of the work specified in relation to that land in column (4) of Schedule 7.

(4) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker shall remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land; but the undertaker shall not be required to replace a building removed under this article.

(5) The undertaker shall pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land of which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the powers conferred by this article.

(6) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (5), or as to the amount of the compensation, shall be determined under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(7) Without prejudice to article 61 (no double recovery), nothing in this article shall affect any liability to pay compensation under section 10(2) of the 1965 Act or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the execution of any works, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (5).

(8) The powers of compulsory acquisition of land conferred by this Order shall not apply in relation to the land referred to in paragraph (1) except that the undertaker shall not be precluded from acquiring new rights over any part of that land under article 24 (power to acquire new rights).

(9) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, it shall not be required to acquire the land or any interest in it.

(10) Section 13 of the 1965 Act shall apply to the temporary use of land pursuant to this article to the same extent as it applies to the acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of article 22(1) (application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act).

Temporary use of land for maintenance of works

29.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), at any time during the maintenance period relating to any of the scheduled works, the undertaker may—

(a) enter upon and take temporary possession of any land within the Order limits if such possession is reasonably required for the purpose of maintaining the work or any ancillary works connected with it; and

(b) construct such temporary works (including the provision of means of access) and buildings on the land as may be reasonably necessary for that purpose.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not authorise the undertaker to take temporary possession of—

(a) any house or garden belonging to a house; or

(b) any building (other than a house) if it is for the time being occupied.

(3) Not less than 28 days before entering upon and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker shall serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land.

(4) The undertaker may only remain in possession of land under this article for so long as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the maintenance of works for which possession of the land was taken.

(5) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker shall remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land.

(6) The undertaker shall pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land of which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the powers conferred by this article.

(7) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (6), or as to the amount of the compensation, shall be determined under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(8) Without prejudice to article 61 (no double recovery), nothing in this article shall affect any liability to pay compensation under section 10(2) of the 1965 Act or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the execution of any works, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (6).

(9) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, it shall not be required to acquire the land or any interest in it.

(10) Section 13 of the 1965 Act shall apply to the temporary use of land pursuant to this article to the same extent as it applies to the acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of article 22(1) (application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act).

(11) In this article “the maintenance period”, in relation to a scheduled work, means the period of 5 years beginning with the date on which the work is opened for use.

Compensation

Disregard of certain interests and improvements

30.—(1) In assessing the compensation payable to any person on the acquisition from that person of any land under this Order, the tribunal shall not take into account—

(a) any interest in land; or

(b) any enhancement of the value of any interest in land by reason of any building erected, works executed or improvement or alteration made on relevant land,

if the tribunal is satisfied that the creation of the interest, the erection of the building, the execution of the works or the making of the improvement or alteration was not reasonably necessary and was undertaken with a view to obtaining compensation or increased compensation.

(2) In paragraph (1) “relevant land” means the land acquired from the person concerned or any other land with which that person is, or was at the time when the building was erected, the works executed or the improvement or alteration made, directly or indirectly concerned.

Set-off for enhancement in value of retained land

31.—(1) In assessing the compensation payable to any person in respect of the acquisition from that person under this Order of any land (including the subsoil) the tribunal shall set off against the value of the land so acquired any increase in value of any contiguous or adjacent land belonging to that person in the same capacity which will accrue to that person by reason of the construction of the authorised works.

(2) In assessing the compensation payable to any person in respect of the acquisition from that person of any new rights over land (including the subsoil) under article 24 (power to acquire new rights), the tribunal shall set off against the value of the rights so acquired—

(a) any increase in the value of the land over which the new rights are required; and

(b) any increase in value of any contiguous or adjacent land belonging to that person in the same capacity,

which will accrue to that person by reason of the construction of the authorised works.

(3) The 1961 Act shall have effect, subject to paragraphs (1) and (2), as if this Order were a local enactment for the purposes of that Act.

Supplementary

Acquisition of part of certain properties

32.—(1) This article shall apply instead of section 8(1) of the 1965 Act (as applied by article 22 (application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act)) in any case where—

(a) a notice to treat is served on a person (“the owner”) under the 1965 Act (as applied) in respect of land forming only part of a house, building or manufactory or of land consisting of a house with a park or garden (“the land subject to the notice to treat”); and

(b) a copy of this article is served on the owner with the notice to treat.

(2) In such a case, the owner may, within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice was served, serve on the undertaker a counter-notice objecting to the sale of the land subject to the notice to treat which states that the owner is willing and able to sell the whole (“the land subject to the counter-notice”).

(3) If no such counter-notice is served within that period, the owner shall be required to sell the land subject to the notice to treat.

(4) If such a counter-notice is served within that period, the question whether the owner shall be required to sell only the land subject to the notice to treat shall, unless the undertaker agrees to take the land subject to the counter-notice, be referred to the tribunal.

(5) If on such a reference the tribunal determine that the land subject to the notice to treat can be taken—

(a) without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice; or

(b) in the case of part of land consisting of a house with a park or garden, without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice and without seriously affecting the amenity and convenience of the house,

the owner shall be required to sell the land subject to the notice to treat.

(6) If on such a reference the tribunal determine that only part of the land subject to the notice to treat can be taken—

(a) without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice; or

(b) in the case of part of land consisting of a house with a park or garden, without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice and without seriously affecting the amenity and convenience of the house,

the notice to treat shall be deemed to be a notice to treat for that part.

(7) If on such a reference the tribunal determine that—

(a) the land subject to the notice to treat cannot be taken without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice; but

(b) the material detriment is confined to a part of the land subject to the counter-notice,

the notice to treat shall be deemed to be a notice to treat for the land to which the material detriment is confined in addition to the land already subject to the notice, whether or not the additional land is land which the undertaker is authorised to acquire compulsorily under this Order.

(8) If the undertaker agrees to take the land subject to the counter-notice, or if the tribunal determine that—

(a) none of the land subject to the notice to treat can be taken without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice or, as the case may be, without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice and without seriously affecting the amenity and convenience of the house; and

(b) the material detriment is not confined to a part of the land subject to the counter-notice,

the notice to treat shall be deemed to be a notice to treat for the land subject to the counter-notice whether or not the whole of that land is land which the undertaker is authorised to acquire compulsorily under this Order.

(9) In any case where by virtue of a determination by the tribunal under this article a notice to treat is deemed to be a notice to treat for less land or more land than that specified in the notice, the undertaker may, within the period of 6 weeks beginning with the day on which the determination is made, withdraw the notice to treat; and if it does so shall pay the owner compensation for any loss or expense occasioned to the owner by the giving and withdrawal of the notice, to be determined in case of dispute by the tribunal.

(10) Where the owner is required under this article to sell only part of a house, building or manufactory or of land consisting of a house with a park or garden, the undertaker shall pay the owner compensation for any loss sustained by the owner due to the severance of that part in addition to the value of the interest acquired.

Extinction or suspension of private rights of way

33.—(1) All private rights of way over land subject to compulsory acquisition under this Order shall be extinguished—

(a) as from the date of acquisition of the land by the undertaker, whether compulsorily or by agreement; or

(b) on the date of entry on the land by the undertaker under section 11(1) of the 1965 Act,

whichever is the sooner.

(2) All private rights of way over land owned by the undertaker which, being within the limits of land which may be acquired or used, is required for the purposes of this Order shall be extinguished on the appropriation of the land for any of those purposes by the undertaker.

(3) All private rights of way over land of which the undertaker takes temporary possession under this Order shall be suspended and unenforceable for as long as the undertaker remains in lawful possession of the land.

(4) Any person who suffers loss by the extinguishment or suspension of any private right of way under this article shall be entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(5) This article does not apply in relation to any right of way to which section 271 or 272 of the 1990 Act (extinguishment of rights of statutory undertakers, etc.) or paragraph 2 of Schedule 9 (provisions relating to statutory undertakers, etc.) applies.

Time limit for exercise of powers of acquisition

34.—(1) After the end of the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which this Order comes into force—

(a) no notice to treat shall be served under Part 1 of the 1965 Act as applied to the acquisition of land by article 22 (application of Part 1 of the 1965 Act); and

(b) no declaration shall be executed under section 4 of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 as applied by article 23 (application of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981).

(2) The powers conferred by article 28 (temporary use of land for construction of works) shall cease at the end of the period referred to in paragraph (1), save that nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the undertaker remaining in possession of land after the end of that period, if the land was entered and possession of it was taken before the end of that period.

(1)

1981 c. 67.

(2)

1981 c. 66.