New Towns Act 1981

4 (1) If any objection is duly made to the order and is not withdrawn, the following provisions of this paragraph shall have effect. E+W

For the purposes of this Schedule an objection shall not be treated as duly made unless—

(a) it is made within the time and in the manner specified in the notice required by paragraph 2 above, and

(b) a statement in writing of the grounds of the objection is comprised in or submitted with the objection.

(2) Unless the Secretary of State decides apart from the objection not to confirm the order, or decides to make a modification which is agreed to by the objector as meeting the objection, the Secretary of State shall, before making a final decision, consider the grounds of the objection as set out in the statement, and may, if he thinks fit, require the objector to submit within a specified period a further statement in writing as to any of the matters to which the objection relates.

(3) In so far as the Secretary of State, after considering the grounds of the objection as set out in the original statement and any such further statement, is satisfied—

(a) that the objection relates to a matter which can be dealt with in the assessment of compensation, or

(b) in the case of an order relating to land within the area of a new town, that the objection is made on the ground that the acquisition is unnecessary or inexpedient,

he may treat the objection as irrelevant for the purpose of making a final decision.

(4) If—

(a) the Secretary of State, after considering the grounds of the objection as set out in the original statement and any such further statement is satisfied that for the purpose of making a final decision he is sufficiently informed as to the matters to which the objection relates, or

(b) where a further statement has been required, it is not submitted within the specified period,

the Secretary of State may make a final decision without further investigation as to those matters.

(5) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) above, the Secretary of State—

(a) shall, before making a final decision, afford to the objector an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed for the purpose by the Secretary of State; and

(b) shall, if the person making the objection avails himself of that opportuntiy, afford an opportunity of appearing and being heard on the same occasion to the acquiring authority and to any other persons to whom it appears to the Secretary of State to be expedient to afford it.

(6) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, if it appears to the Secretary of State that the matters to which the objection relates are such as to require investigation by public local inquiry before he makes a final decision—

(a) he shall cause such an inquiry to be held; and

(b) where he determines to cause such an inquiry to be held, any of the requirements of those provisions to which effect has not been given at the time when he so determines shall be dispensed with.

(7) In this paragraph any reference to making a final decision, in relation to an order, is a reference to deciding—

(a) whether to confirm the order, or

(b) what modification, if any, ought to be made.