Part VI

Rights of owners etc. to require purchase of interests
Chapter II

Interests Affected by Planning Proposals: Blight

Blight notices

Reference of objection to Upper Tribunal: general.
153
1
Where a counter-notice has been served under section 151 objecting to a blight notice, the claimant may require the objection to be referred to the Upper Tribunal.
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
On any such reference, if the objection is not withdrawn, the Upper Tribunal shall consider—
a
the matters set out in the notice served by the claimant, and
b
the grounds of the objection specified in the counter-notice;
and, subject to subsection (4), unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Tribunal that the objection is not well-founded, the Tribunal shall uphold the objection.
4
An objection on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(b), (c) or (d) shall not be upheld by the Tribunal unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Tribunal that the objection is well-founded.
4A
Where the effect of a blight notice would be a compulsory purchase to which Part 1 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 applies, the Upper Tribunal may uphold an objection on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c) only if it is satisfied that the part of the hereditament or affected area proposed to be acquired in the counter-notice—
a
in the case of a house, building or factory, can be taken without material detriment to the house, building or factory, or
b
in the case of a park or garden belonging to a house, can be taken without seriously affecting the amenity or convenience of the house.
5
If the Tribunal determines not to uphold the objection, the Tribunal shall declare that the notice to which the counter-notice relates is a valid notice.
6
If the Tribunal upholds the objection, but only on the grounds mentioned in section 151(4)(c), the Tribunal shall declare that the notice is a valid notice in relation to the part of the hereditament, or in the case of an agricultural unit the part of the affected area, specified in the counter-notice as being the part which the appropriate authority propose to acquire as mentioned in that notice, but not in relation to any other part of the hereditament or affected area.
7
In a case falling within subsection (5) or (6), the Tribunal shall give directions specifying the date on which notice to treat (as mentioned in section 154) is to be deemed to have been served.
8
This section shall have effect in relation to a further counter-notice served by virtue of section 152(1) as it has effect in relation to the counter-notice for which it is substituted.
Part VI (ss. 137-171): power to modify conferred (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 171(3)(b); S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3
Pt. VI (ss. 137-171) modified (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 20(3), Sch. 5 paras. 15(1), 20 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 4, Sch. 2
Words in s. 153 heading substituted (1.6.2009) by The Transfer of Tribunal Functions (Lands Tribunal and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1307), art. 5(1)(2), Sch. 1 para. 198(a)
Words in s. 153(2) omitted (1.6.2009) by virtue of The Transfer of Tribunal Functions (Lands Tribunal and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1307), art. 5(1)(2), Sch. 1 para. 198(b)
S. 153(4A) excluded (13.3.2024) by The Medworth Energy from Waste Combined Heat and Power Facility Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/230), arts. 1, 26(3) (with art. 26(4), Sch. 11 paras. 5, 22, 37, 47, 82, 110)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.10.2018) by The A19/A184 Testos Junction Alteration Development Consent Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/994), arts. 1, 27 (with arts. 3(3), 5)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.8.2024) by The Mallard Pass Solar Farm Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/796), arts. 1, 25(3) (with art. 25(4), Sch. 15)
S. 153(4A) excluded by 2017 c. 7, s. 8(2) (as amended (24.2.2017) by High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 (c. 7), s. 70(2), Sch. 14 para. 3; S.I. 2017/209, reg. 2)
S. 153(4A) excluded (18.7.2023) by The Longfield Solar Farm Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/734), arts. 1, 23(3) (with art. 23(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded by 2017 c. 7, s. 7(2) (as amended (24.2.2017) by High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 (c. 7), s. 70(2), Sch. 14 para. 2; S.I. 2017/209, reg. 2)
S. 153(4A) excluded (2.9.2022) by The A47 North Tuddenham to Easton Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/911), arts. 1, 31(3)(c) (with arts. 4, 31(4), 53)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.11.2022) by The Network Rail (Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) Improvements) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1067), arts. 1, 32(4)(c) (with art. 32(5))
S. 153(4A) excluded (22.12.2021) by The Morlais Demonstration Zone Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1478), arts. 1, 26(3)(c) (with arts. 15, 50, Sch. 11 para. 29)
S. 153(4A) excluded (2.6.2022) by The M25 Junction 10/A3 Wisley Interchange Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/549), arts. 1, 30(3)(c) (with arts. 6, 30(4), 34)
S. 153(4A) excluded (11.4.2024) by The HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/436), arts. 1(2), 31(4) (with arts. 21, 41, Sch. 10)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.8.2024) by The Gate Burton Energy Park Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/807), arts. 1, 23(3) (with arts. 23(4), 45, Sch. 14)
S. 153(4A) excluded (27.7.2023) by The Boston Alternative Energy Facility Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/778), arts. 1, 32(3)(c) (with arts. 5, 32(4), 53, Sch. 8 paras. 6, 64)
S. 153(4A) excluded (5.12.2022) by The Portishead Branch Line (MetroWest Phase 1) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1194), arts. 1, 31(3)(c) (with arts. 31(4), 51)
S. 153(4A) excluded (22.1.2021) by The Hornsea Three Offshore Wind Farm Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1656), arts. 1, 23(3) (with arts. 23(4), 40, 41, Sch. 9 Pt. 5 para. 18)
S. 153(4A) excluded (22.4.2022) by The East Anglia ONE North Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/432), arts. 1(2), 24(3)(c) (with arts. 40, 41)
S. 153(4A) excluded (13.3.2019) by The Port of Tilbury (Expansion) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/359), arts. 1, 26(3)(c)(4) (with arts. 55, 56)
S. 153(4A) excluded (21.5.2020) by The Lake Lothing (Lowestoft) Third Crossing Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/474), arts. 1, 27(4)(c) (with arts. 51, 57)
S. 153(4A) excluded (18.6.2020) by The A63 (Castle Street Improvement, Hull) Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/556), arts. 1, 27(3)(c) (with arts. 5, 27(4), 44)
S. 153(4A) excluded (30.4.2020) by The A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool Highway Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/402), arts. 1, 27(3)(c) (with arts. 5, 27(4), 44)
S. 153(4A) excluded (9.2.2024) by The A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Development Consent Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/60), arts. 1, 38(3) (with arts. 4, 38(4), 52, Sch. 11 paras. 6, 24, 39(1), 55(1), 84)
S. 153(4A) excluded (22.4.2022) by The East Anglia TWO Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/433), arts. 1(2), 24(3)(c) (with arts. 24(4), 40, 41)
S. 153(4A) excluded (25.6.2025) by The M5 Junction 10 Development Consent Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/795), arts. 1, 29(3) (with arts. 4, 29(4), 43, Sch. 9)
S. 153(4A) excluded (4.11.2022) by The A47/A11 Thickthorn Junction Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1070), arts. 1, 32(3)(c) (with arts. 4, 52, Sch. 9 para. 82)
S. 153(4A) excluded (27.2.2020) by The A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/121), arts. 1, 31(3)(c) (with arts. 3(1), 31(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (4.10.2024) by The National Grid (Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/958), arts. 1, 24(3) (with art. 40, Sch. 14)
S. 153(4A) excluded (9.10.2024) by The M3 Junction 9 Development Consent Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/752), arts. 1, 32(3) (with arts. 4, 32(4), Sch. 10) (as amended by S.I. 2024/1020, Sch)
S. 153(4A) excluded (9.2.2021) by The A1 Birtley to Coal House Development Consent Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/74), arts. 1, 30(3)(c) (with arts. 5, 30(4), Sch. 27 para. 36)
S. 153(4A) excluded (11.8.2022) by The Sizewell C (Nuclear Generating Station) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/853), arts. 1, 35 (with arts. 35(4), 62, 76, 87)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.11.2022) by The Network Rail (Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) Improvements) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1067), arts. 1, 31(4)(c) (with art. 31(5))
S. 153(4A) excluded (12.10.2025) by The Gatwick Airport (Northern Runway Project) Development Consent Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1054), arts. 1, 34(3) (with arts. 5, 9(6), 43, Sch. 9)
S. 153(4A) excluded (13.11.2025) by The Stonestreet Green Solar Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1175), arts. 1, 28(3) (with art. 40, Sch. 13)
S. 153(4A) excluded (22.12.2017) by The M20 Junction 10a Development Consent Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1202), arts. 1, 29(3)(c) (with arts. 4, 29(4), 37)
S. 153(4A) excluded (18.12.2024) by The Network Rail (Leeds to Micklefield Enhancements) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/1284), arts. 1, 26(3) (with art. 26(4), Sch. 15)
S. 153(4A) excluded (28.4.2025) by The Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/468), arts. 1, 29(3) (with arts. 47, 48, Sch. 10)
S. 153(4A) excluded (11.7.2025) by The Oaklands Farm Solar Park Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/739), arts. 1, 22(3) (with art. 22(4), Sch. 10)
S. 153(4A) excluded (6.8.2020) by The A19 Downhill Lane Junction Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/746), arts. 1, 27(3)(c) (with arts. 5, 27(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (24.4.2025) by The London Luton Airport Expansion Development Consent Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/463), arts. 1, 31(3)(c)(4) (with Sch. 8 paras. 36(3), 87)
S. 153(4A) excluded (11.10.2023) by The Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1033), arts. 1, 24 (with arts. 36, 37, Sch. 9 paras. 14, 44(1), 76, 103)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.4.2019) by The Millbrook Gas Fired Generating Station Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/578), arts. 1, 24(3)(c) (with art. 24(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (22.10.2025) by The A46 Newark Bypass Development Consent Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1090), arts. 1, 37(3) (with arts. 4, 9, 37(4), 51, Sch. 9)
S. 153(4A) excluded (1.5.2025) by The Viking CCS Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/509), arts. 1(2), 29(4) (with art. 41, Sch. 9)
S. 153(4A) excluded (13.7.2022) by The A47 Blofield to North Burlingham Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/738), arts. 1, 32(3)(c) (with arts. 4, 32(4), 50)
S. 153(4A) excluded (7.12.2022) by The A57 Link Roads Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1206), arts. 1, 29(3)(c) (with arts. 5, 29(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (7.2.2024) by The Drax Power Station Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage Extension Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/70), arts. 1, 22(3) (with arts. 22(4), 43, Sch. 12 paras. 5, 24)
S. 153(4A) excluded (25.10.2019) by The Drax Power (Generating Stations) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1315), arts. 1, 25(3)(c) (with art. 25(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (25.3.2022) by The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/299), arts. 1, 35 (with art. 55)
S. 153(4A) excluded (19.6.2020) by The Cleve Hill Solar Park Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/547), arts. 1, 21(3)(c) (with arts. 21(4), 37)
S. 153(4A) excluded (14.8.2025) by The Byers Gill Solar Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/934), arts. 1, 25(4) (with art. 43, Sch. 11)
S. 153(4A) excluded (29.12.2022) by The Keadby 3 (Carbon Capture Equipped Gas Fired Generating Station) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1396), arts. 1, 24(3)(c) (with arts. 24(4), 32, Sch. 10 paras. 26(2), 68)
S. 153(4A) excluded (29.10.2020) by The Southampton to London Pipeline Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1099), arts. 1, 28(3)(c) (with arts. 28(4), 32, Sch. 9 para. 36)
S. 153(4A) excluded (5.4.2024) by virtue of The National Grid (Yorkshire Green Energy Enablement Project) Development Consent Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/393), arts. 1, 34(3) (with art. 44, Sch. 15)
S. 153(4A) excluded (15.10.2020) by The Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1075), arts. 1, 33(4)(c) (with art. 33(5))
S. 153(4A) excluded (14.6.2024) by The A1 in Northumberland: Morpeth to Ellingham Development Consent Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/733), arts. 1, 34(3) (with art. 6, Sch. 10)
S. 153(4A) excluded (27.9.2024) by The Cottam Solar Project Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/943), arts. 1, 25(3) (with arts. 25(4), 48, Sch. 15)
S. 153(4A) excluded (23.4.2025) by The Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Relocation Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/452), arts. 1, 29(3)(c), 30(6)(c)
S. 153(4A) excluded (7.9.2023) by The A38 Derby Junctions Development Consent Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/923), arts. 1, 31(3) (with arts. 4, 31(4), 45, Sch. 9 paras. 6, 46, 54(1))
S. 153(4A) excluded (11.2.2021) by High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Act 2021 (c. 2), ss. 7(2)(c), 64(1) (with s. 7(3))
S. 153(4A) excluded (4.4.2025) by The North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/362), arts. 1, 30(3) (with art. 30(4), Sch. 14)
S. 153(4A) excluded (1.1.2022) by The Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1414), arts. 1, 24(3)(c) (with arts. 41, 42, Sch. 17 para. 66)
S. 153(4A) excluded (15.2.2025) by The West Burton Solar Project Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/116), arts. 1, 25 (with art. 47, Sch. 15)
S. 153(4A) excluded (27.2.2025) by The Associated British Ports (Immingham Green Energy Terminal) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/165), arts. 1, 25 (with arts. 48, 59, Sch. 14)
S. 153(4A) inserted (3.2.2017) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), ss. 200(2), 216(3); S.I. 2017/75, reg. 3(h)
S. 153(4A) excluded (10.10.2019) by The Abergelli Power Gas Fired Generating Station Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1268), arts. 1, 25(3)(c) (with art. 25(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (31.5.2018) by The Silvertown Tunnel Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/574), arts. 1(2), 27(4)(c) (with art. 27(5))
S. 153(4A) excluded (5.11.2025) by The Tillbridge Solar Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1105), arts. 1, 26(3) (with arts. 26(4), 49, Sch. 15)
S. 153(4A) excluded (11.6.2020) by The M42 Junction 6 Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/528), arts. 1, 31(3)(c) (with arts. 31(4), 37)
S. 153(4A) excluded (31.5.2025) by The East Yorkshire Solar Farm Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/585), arts. 1, 25(3) (with arts. 25(4), 49, Sch. 14)
S. 153(4A) excluded (1.5.2020) by The Riverside Energy Park Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/419), arts. 1, 25(3)(c) (with arts. 7, 25(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (11.2.2021) by High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Act 2021 (c. 2), ss. 6(2)(c), 64(1)
S. 153(4A) excluded (19.12.2017) by The Network Rail (Buxton Sidings Extension) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1150), arts. 1, 22(3) (with arts. 22(4), 32(2))
S. 153(4A) excluded (10.3.2022) by The Thurrock Flexible Generation Plant Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/157), arts. 1, 25(4)(c) (with Sch. 8 Pt. 6 para. 19)
S. 153(4A) excluded (28.7.2025) by The Mona Offshore Wind Farm Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/870), arts. 1, 25(3) (with arts. 37, 38, Sch. 10)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.11.2022) by The Network Rail (Huddersfield to Westtown (Dewsbury) Improvements) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1067), arts. 1, 30(3)(c) (with art. 30(6))
S. 153(4A) excluded (4.8.2023) by The A303 (Amesbury to Berwick Down) Development Consent Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/834), arts. 1, 27(4) (with arts. 6(2), 18, 27(5), Sch. 11 paras. 5, 30)
S. 153(4A) excluded (15.4.2025) by The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/462), arts. 1, 33(4) (with arts. 5, 33(5), 43, 53(7), Sch. 14)
S. 153(4A) excluded (12.5.2022) by The M54 to M6 Link Road Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/475), arts. 1, 27(3)(c) (with art. 27(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (11.3.2024) by The Net Zero Teesside Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/174), arts. 1, 28(3) (with arts. 28(4), 42, 43, Sch. 12 paras. 5, 51, 91, 129, 136, 234, 345, 356)
S. 153(4A) excluded (28.3.2024) by The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Development Consent Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/360), arts. 1, 27(3) (with arts. 18, 27(4), 35, Sch. 9)
S. 153(4A) excluded (19.2.2021) by The A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dualling Development Consent Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/125), arts. 1, 31(3)(c) (with arts. 4, 31(4), 47)
S. 153(4A) excluded (6.6.2022) by The M25 Junction 28 Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/573), arts. 1, 32(3)(c) (with arts. 5, 32(4), 36)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.8.2023) by The Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Farm Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/800), arts. 1, 25(3) (with arts. 25(4), 42, 43, Sch. 9 Pt. 1 para. 4, Sch. 9 Pt. 3 para. 6(1), Sch. 9 Pt. 4 para. 20, Sch. 9 Pt. 9 para. 4)
S. 153(4A) excluded (9.5.2024) by The Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Extensions Offshore Wind Farm Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/564), arts. 1, 22(4) (with arts. 22(5), 35, 36, Sch. 14)
S. 153(4A) excluded (1.9.2020) by The Immingham Open Cycle Gas Turbine Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/847), arts. 1, 24(3)(c) (with art. 24(4), Sch. 9 para. 144)
S. 153(4A) excluded (24.8.2018) by The Network Rail (Werrington Grade Separation) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/923), arts. 1, 22(3)(c) (with arts. 22(4), 31(2))
S. 153(4A) excluded (10.3.2023) by The A47 Wansford to Sutton Development Consent Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/218), arts. 1, 32(3) (with arts. 4, 50)
S. 153(4A) excluded (18.4.2018) by The Network Rail (Hope Valley Capacity) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/446), arts. 1, 21(4), 22(3) (with arts. 22(4), 24(8), 33(2))
S. 153(4A) excluded (4.1.2018) by The Blackpool Tramway (Blackpool North Extension) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1214), arts. 1, 30(3)(c) (with arts. 30(4), 58, 59)
S. 153(4A) excluded (3.8.2024) by The Sunnica Energy Farm Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/802), arts. 1, 22(3) (with arts. 22(4), 44, Sch. 12)
S. 153(4A) excluded (14.4.2020) by The Reinforcement to the North Shropshire Electricity Distribution Network Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/325), arts. 1, 23(3)(c) (with arts. 7, 23(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (30.9.2025) by The M60/M62/M66 Simister Island Interchange Development Consent Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1018), arts. 1, 28 (with arts. 5, 34, Sch. 9)
S. 153(4A) excluded (5.3.2022) by The Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/138), arts. 1, 24(3)(c) (with arts. 24(4), 41, 42, Sch. 16)
S. 153(4A) excluded (8.9.2022) by The A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/934), arts. 1, 35(3)(c)
S. 153(4A) excluded (7.12.2022) by The A417 Missing Link Development Consent Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1248), arts. 1, 32(3) (with arts. 4, 32(4))
S. 153(4A) excluded (27.11.2025) by The Cory Decarbonisation Project Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1227), arts. 1, 31(3) (with art. 31(4), Sch. 12)
S. 153(4A) excluded (29.12.2025) by The Helios Renewable Energy Project Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/1372), arts. 1, 25(3) (with art. 25(4), Sch. 9)