These Regulations prescribe forms for the purposes of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 (“the 1981 Act”) (c. 66) and come into force on 3rd February 2017. They apply to the compulsory purchase of land in England only.

Regulation 3(2)(a) provides that, for the purposes of section 4(1) of the 1981 Act, the prescribed form of a general vesting declaration is Form 1 in the Schedule to these Regulations (or a form substantially to the same effect as that form).

Regulation 3(2)(b) provides that, for the purposes of section 6(1) of the 1981 Act, the form of notice specifying the land and stating the effect of a general vesting declaration is Form 2 in the Schedule to these Regulations (or a form substantially to the same effect as that form).

The prescribed forms reflect the changes to the general vesting declaration procedure made by Part 7 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22).

Regulation 4 requires the Secretary of State to review the operation and effect of regulations 1 to 3 and publish a report within five years after they come into force and within every five years after that. Following a review, it will fall to the Secretary of State to consider whether these regulations should remain as they are, or be revoked or be amended. A further instrument would be needed to revoke these regulations or to amend them.

Regulation 5 revokes, with savings, the Compulsory Purchase of Land (Vesting Declarations) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/497) in England.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.