Section 36: Regional development agencies
107.Section 36 amends the purposes of a regional development agency as listed in the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 to include the purpose of preparing for the London Olympics. A regional development agency may only take action for the purpose of preparing for the Games at the request of the ODA.
108.Where a regional development agency purchases land for the purpose of preparing for the London Olympics:
Section 19 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, which requires a compulsory purchase order relating to part of a common, open space or allotment to go through a special Parliamentary procedure in specified circumstances, shall not apply.
Section 295 of the Housing Act 1985 shall apply in the same way that it applies to land acquired by a local housing authority, so that all rights over such land are extinguished. Any person who suffers loss by the extinguishment of any right is entitled to be paid compensation, in accordance with the Land Compensation Act 1961 (the amount is to be determined by the Lands Tribunal).
No other Act shall prevent or restrict the use of a common, open space or allotment for construction, works or any other purpose, although the usual requirements for planning permission will still apply.
It will be permitted to compulsorily purchase Crown land or any interest in Crown land.
These provisions apply irrespective of whether the purchase is made under the specific Olympic purpose provided by section 36 or not, and irrespective of whether the purchase had any other purpose.
109.Once the London Olympics are over, the Secretary of State may make an order to repeal the powers provided by this section. This order would be subject to a negative resolution procedure.
110.The order may make incidental, supplementary, consequential or transitional provisions or savings in relation to the cessation of the powers. It may also provide for the transfer of property, rights or liabilities, and make provision relating to the management, control or treatment of anything constructed or done under a Regional Development Agency’s purpose to prepare for the Games. The provisions could be of a specific or general nature, and different provisions can be made for different cases or purposes.
