Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981

Part II E+W Execution of Declaration

F1 3 Preliminary notices. E+W

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Textual Amendments

F1 S. 3 omitted (3.2.2017 for specified purposes, 6.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 15 para. 5; S.I. 2017/75, reg. 3(j) (with reg. 5); S.I. 2017/281, reg. 4(j) (with reg. 8(2))

4 Execution of declaration. E+W

(1) The acquiring authority may execute in respect of any of the land which they are authorised to acquire by the compulsory purchase order a declaration in the prescribed form vesting the land in themselves from the end of such period as may be specified in the declaration [F2 (not being less than [F3 3 months] from the date on which the service of notices required by section 6 below is completed)].

[F4 (1ZA) That period must be—

(a) where the expedited procedure is available (see section 4A), not less than six weeks from the date on which the service of notices required by section 6 is completed;

(b) otherwise not less than three months from that date.]

[F5 (1A) But an acquiring authority may not execute a declaration in respect of land if they have served a notice to treat in respect of that land and have not withdrawn it.

(1B) In subsection (1A) the reference to an authority having “served” a notice does not include cases in which the authority is deemed to have served a notice.]

(2) For the purposes of this Act a certificate by the acquiring authority that the service of notices required by section 6 below was completed on a date specified in the certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the fact so stated.

[F6 (3) For the purposes of this Act the “vesting date” in relation to any land that is actually specified in a general vesting declaration is—

(a) the first day after the end of the period specified in the declaration in accordance with subsection (1) above, or

(b) if a counter-notice is served under paragraph 2 of Schedule A1 within that period in relation to land, the day determined as the vesting date for the land in accordance with that Schedule.

(4) For the purposes of this Act, the “vesting date” for any land that is deemed to have been specified in a general vesting declaration by Schedule A1 is the day determined as the vesting date for the land in accordance with that Schedule.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 4(1) omitted (19.12.2025 for specified purposes) by virtue of Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 108(3)(a), 118(5)(d) (with s. 116); S.I. 2025/1370, reg. 3(1)(b)

F3 Words in s. 4(1) substituted (3.2.2017) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), ss. 184, 216(3); S.I. 2017/75, reg. 3(d) (with reg. 5)

F4 S. 4(1ZA) inserted (19.12.2025 for specified purposes) by Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 108(3)(b), 118(5)(d) (with s. 116); S.I. 2025/1370, reg. 3(1)(b)

F5 S. 4(1A)(1B) inserted (3.2.2017) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), ss. 185, 216(3); S.I. 2017/75, reg. 3(d) (with reg. 5)

F6 S. 4(3)(4) substituted for s. 4(3) (3.2.2017) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 18 para. 2; S.I. 2017/75, reg. 3(k) (with reg. 5)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 4 excluded (2.10.2014) by The Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2441), arts. 1, 21(b) (with art. 33)

C2 S. 4 excluded (26.2.2015) by The Cornwall Council (A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/147), arts. 1, 20(1)

C3 S. 4 restricted (1.4.2015) by The Knottingley Power Plant Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/680), arts. 1, 20(1)(b) (with Sch. 8 para. 10)

C4 S. 4 excluded (21.4.2015) by The Crossrail (Plumstead Sidings) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/781), arts. 1, 16(b)

C5 S. 4 excluded (30.6.2015) by The Swansea Bay Tidal Generating Station Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1386), arts. 1, 27(1)(b) (with arts. 51, 53)

C6 S. 4 excluded (7.8.2015) by The Preesall Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1561), arts. 1, 31(1)(b) (with art. 44)

C7 S. 4 excluded (14.8.2015) by The Hirwaun Generating Station Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1574), arts. 1, 19(1)(b) (with art. 30)

C8 S. 4 excluded (14.8.2015) by The Progress Power (Gas Fired Power Station) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1570), arts. 1, 20(1)(b)

C9 S. 4 excluded (30.9.2015) by The Network Rail (Blackthorn and Piddington) (Land Acquisition) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1684), arts. 1, 12(1)(b)

C10 S. 4 excluded (30.12.2015) by The Port Talbot Steelworks Generating Station Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1984), arts. 1, 15(b) (with art. 26)

C11 S. 4 excluded (3.4.2019) by The Millbrook Gas Fired Generating Station Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/578), arts. 1, 20(1)(b)

C12 S. 4 excluded (16.4.2020) by The Reinforcement to the North Shropshire Electricity Distribution Network Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/325), arts. 3, 20(1)(b) (with arts. 7, 20(2))

C13 S. 4 excluded (21.5.2020) by The Lake Lothing (Lowestoft) Third Crossing Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/474), arts. 1, 25(1)(b) (with arts. 51, 57)

C14 S. 4 excluded (11.6.2020) by The M42 Junction 6 Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/528), arts. 1, 26(b) (with art. 37)

C15 S. 4 excluded (18.6.2020) by The A63 (Castle Street Improvement, Hull) Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/556), arts. 1, 22(1)(b) (with arts. 5, 44)

C16 S. 4 restricted (30.6.2022) by The Network Rail (Essex and Others Level Crossing Reduction) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/651), arts. 1, 27(1)(b) (with art. 27(2))

C17 S. 4 excluded (13.7.2022) by The A47 Blofield to North Burlingham Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/738), arts. 1, 26(1)(b) (with arts. 4, 50)

C18 S. 4 restricted (2.8.2022) by The Network Rail (Oxford Station Phase 2 Improvements (Land Only)) (No. 2) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/872), arts. 1(1), 13(1)(b)

C19 S. 4 restricted (2.8.2022) by The Network Rail (Oxford Station Phase 2 Improvements (Land Only)) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/871), arts. 1(1), 13(1)(b)

[F7 4A Vesting date: expedited procedure E+W

(1) The expedited procedure is available in relation to a general vesting declaration if—

(a) the specified land is unoccupied,

(b) the acquiring authority considers that, by reason of disrepair, neglect, contamination, or risk to health or safety, the specified land is unfit for its ordinary use, and

(c) Schedule A1 does not apply to the declaration.

(2) The expedited procedure is also available in relation to a general vesting declaration if the acquiring authority has been unable to identify any person with an interest in the specified land.

(3) Land is not to be regarded as occupied for the purposes of subsection (1)(a)—

(a) if it is occupied only by persons who do not have a right to occupy it;

(b) because of the presence of chattels on the land if the chattels appear to the acquiring authority to be of no significant value.

(4) The ordinary use of land is to be taken for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) to be—

(a) so far as the land comprises buildings or other features designed or adapted for a particular use, that use, and

(b) so far as the land does not comprise such buildings or features, its most recent lawful use.

(5) If the specified land includes one or more dwellings, the acquiring authority may decide that it is unfit for its ordinary use only if it considers that the dwelling, or each of those dwellings, is unfit for human habitation within the meaning of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (see section 10 of that Act).

(6) In this section—

• “dwelling” means a building or part of a building designed or adapted for occupation as a separate dwelling;

• “the specified land” means the land specified in the general vesting declaration.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Ss. 4A, 4B inserted (19.12.2025 for specified purposes) by Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 108(4), 118(5)(d) (with s. 116); S.I. 2025/1370, reg. 3(1)(b)

[F7 4B Expedited procedure: process E+W

(1) This section applies where the acquiring authority has executed a general vesting declaration under the expedited procedure.

(2) A person may, at any time before the end of the period of four weeks beginning with the date on which the general vesting declaration is executed, make representations to the acquiring authority that the expedited procedure is not available in relation to the declaration.

(3) The representations need not be in writing.

(4) The acquiring authority must provide a written response to the representations before the end of the period of seven days beginning with the day on which it received them.

(5) If, at any time between the execution of the general vesting declaration and the vesting date, the acquiring authority becomes aware of a reason why the expedited procedure is not available (whether as a result of representations or otherwise), the authority must amend the general vesting declaration so that the period specified in it complies with section 4(1ZA)(b) (period of at least three months from service of notices).

(6) If the acquiring authority amends the general vesting declaration under subsection (5), it must serve notice of the amendment on—

(a) every person who has made representations under subsection (2), and

(b) every person who was served a notice about the declaration under section 6.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Ss. 4A, 4B inserted (19.12.2025 for specified purposes) by Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 108(4), 118(5)(d) (with s. 116); S.I. 2025/1370, reg. 3(1)(b)

5 Earliest date for execution of declaration. E+W

F8 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) A declaration under section 4 above shall not be executed before the compulsory purchase order has come into operation, and this subsection applies in particular where the compulsory purchase order is subject to special parliamentary procedure and therefore does not come into operation in accordance with section 26(1) of the M1 Acquisition of Land Act 1981 or any corresponding provision of the relevant enactments.

Textual Amendments

F8 S. 5(1) omitted (3.2.2017 for specified purposes, 6.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 15 para. 6; S.I. 2017/75, reg. 3(j) (with reg. 5); S.I. 2017/281, reg. 4(j) (with reg. 8(2))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20 S. 5 applied (with modifications) (28.2.2013) by The Rookery South (Resource Recovery Facility) Order 2011 2013 (S.I. 2013/680), art. 21(6)

Marginal Citations

M1 1981 c. 67.

[F9 5A Time limit for general vesting declaration E+W

[F10 (1)] A general vesting declaration may not be executed after the end of the [F11 applicable period] beginning with the day on which the compulsory purchase order becomes operative.

[F12 (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.]]

Textual Amendments

F9 S. 5A inserted (13.7.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), ss. 182(2), 216(3); S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(i) (with reg. 7)

F10 Words in s. 5A renumbered as s. 5A(1) (31.1.2024) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 185(3)(a)(i), 255(7) (with s. 247); S.I. 2024/92, reg. 2(l) (with reg. 6(1))

F11 Words in s. 5A(1) substituted (31.1.2024) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 185(3)(a)(ii), 255(7) (with s. 247); S.I. 2024/92, reg. 2(l) (with reg. 6(1))

F12 S. 5A(2) inserted (31.1.2024) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 185(3)(a)(iii), 255(7) (with s. 247); S.I. 2024/92, reg. 2(l) (with reg. 6(1))

[F13 5B Extension of time limit during challenge E+W

(1) If an application is made under section 23 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (application to High Court in respect of compulsory purchase order), the [F14 applicable period for the purposes of] section 5A is to be extended by—

(a) a period equivalent to the period beginning with the day the application is made and ending on the day it is withdrawn or finally determined, or

(b) if shorter, one year.

(2) An application is not finally determined for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) if an appeal in respect of the application—

(a) could be brought (ignoring any possibility of an appeal out of time with permission), or

(b) has been made and not withdrawn or finally determined.]

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 5B inserted (13.7.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), ss. 202(2), 216(3); S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(l) (with reg. 9)

F14 Words in s. 5B(1) substituted (31.1.2024) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 185(3)(b), 255(7) (with s. 247); S.I. 2024/92, reg. 2(l) (with reg. 6(1))

6 Notices after execution of declaration. E+W

(1) As soon as may be after executing a general vesting declaration the acquiring authority shall serve—

(a) on every occupier of any of the land specified in the declaration (other than land in which there subsists a minor tenancy or a long tenancy which is about to expire), and

(b) on every other person who has given information to the acquiring authority with respect to any of that land in pursuance of the invitation published and served under [F15 section 15 of, or paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to, the Acquisition of Land Act 1981],

a notice in the prescribed form specifying the land and stating the effect of the declaration.

[F16 (1A) In a case where the period specified in the declaration under section 4(1) is less than three months, the notice must also state—

(a) that the acquiring authority considers that the expedited procedure is available under section 4A(1) or (2) (as the case may be);

(b) the vesting date;

(c) that any person who disagrees that the expedited procedure is available may make representations to the acquiring authority under section 4B(2);

(d) that if, before the vesting date, the acquiring authority no longer considers that the expedited procedure is available, the authority will amend the general vesting declaration so that the period specified in it complies with section 4(1ZA)(b) (period of at least three months from service of notices).]

(2) [F17 Section 329 of the M2 Town and Country Planning Act 1990] (service of notices) shall apply as if this section formed part of that Act.

Textual Amendments

F15 Words in s. 6(1)(b) substituted (3.2.2017 for specified purposes, 6.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 15 para. 7; S.I. 2017/75, reg. 3(j) (with reg. 5); S.I. 2017/281, reg. 4(j) (with reg. 8(2))

F16 S. 6(1A) inserted (19.12.2025 for specified purposes) by Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (c. 34), ss. 108(5), 118(5)(d) (with s. 116); S.I. 2025/1370, reg. 3(1)(b)

F17 Words substituted by Planning (Consequential Provisions) Act 1990 (c. 11, SIF 123:1, 2), s. 4, Sch. 2 para. 52(2)

Marginal Citations

M2 1990 c. 8.