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11 1939

TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNING (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1939

PART II.

Miscellaneous Amendments of the Principal Act

Powers of examination and survey of contiguous areas.

4. —(1) The council of a county borough, of a borough, or of an urban district may at any time cause any portion of a county health district contiguous to such county borough, borough, or urban district to be examined and surveyed and the circumstances and requirements thereof to be investigated for the purpose of deciding whether such council should or should not apply to the Minister under section 21 of the Principal Act for an order declaring that such portion of such county health district be added to and form part of the planning district which consists of or includes such county borough, borough, or urban district.

(2) Any person authorised in that behalf in writing by the council of a county borough, of a borough, or of an urban district may, for the purpose of any examination, survey, or investigation which such council is authorised by that section to cause to be made, and on production of such written authority, enter between the hours of nine o'clock in the morning and six o'clock in the afternoon on any land in the portion of a county health district in relation to which such examination, survey, or investigation is being made and there do any thing which such person shall reasonably consider to be necessary for the said purpose.

(3) Every person who obstructs or interferes with any other person in the exercise by such other person of any power vested in him by virtue of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

Annulment of resolution deciding to make planning scheme.

5. —(1) Whenever a planning authority, by resolution under section 26 of the Principal Act, resolves to make a planning scheme for any area, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—

(a) such planning authority shall, as soon as conveniently may be after the passing of such resolution, publish a notice of the passing of such resolution at least once in each of two successive weeks in three newspapers (of which at least one is a daily newspaper) circulating in such area;

(b) such notice shall be in the prescribed form, and shall contain, in addition to any other matter that may be prescribed, a statement that any owner of property in such area may apply within two months after the completion of the second publication of such notice to the High Court for the annulment of such resolution;

(c) any owner of property in such area may, before (but not after) the expiration of two months from the completion of the second publication of such notice, apply to the High Court for the annulment of such resolution and, on such application, if the High Court is of opinion that such resolution is for any reason invalid, the High Court may annul such resolution;

(d) if no application is made under the immediately preceding paragraph of this sub-section within the time limited in that behalf by that paragraph, such resolution shall be deemed always to have been valid for all purposes;

(e) if one or more applications are made to the High Court under and in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this sub-section and on the final determination of such application or applications such resolution is not annulled, such resolution shall be and be deemed always to have been valid for all purposes.

(2) This section shall apply in respect of every resolution under section 26 of the Principal Act whether passed before or after the passing of this Act and, for the purposes of such application to resolutions under the said section 26 passed before the passing of this Act, every resolution so passed shall be deemed to have been passed one month after the date of the passing of this Act.

Notice of resolution deciding to make a planning scheme.

6. —So much of sub-section (1) of section 26 of the Principal Act as requires one month's notice of the intention to propose the resolution mentioned in that sub-section to be given to every member of the planning authority shall be construed and have effect, and be deemed always to have had effect, as requiring such notice to be given to those persons only who are or were members of the planning authority at the time when such notice is or was given and, accordingly, no such resolution shall be invalid or, in the case of any such resolution passed before the passing of this Act, ever have been invalid by reason only of the failure to give such notice to a member of the planning authority who became such member after the time when such notice is or was given.

Planning scheme for two or more adjoining areas.

7. —(1) Where a planning authority has passed, under section 26 of the Principal Act, two or more resolutions deciding to make planning schemes for two or more separate but adjoining areas, such planning authority may, by virtue of such resolutions, make one planning scheme for the whole area made up of such adjoining areas, and the making of such one planning scheme shall be a sufficient compliance with section 29 of the Principal Act.

(2) Where a planning scheme is made under this section by a planning authority for an area consisting of two or more parts in respect of each of which a separate resolution for the making of a planning scheme was passed by such planning authority, section 4 of the Principal Act shall have effect in relation to every such part as if such planning scheme were made for such part alone, and, accordingly, different days may be the relevant date in relation to each such part for the purposes of the Principal Act in respect of the planning scheme or of any provision of the planning scheme.

Units for regulating density of structures.

8. —(1) Whenever a planning scheme contains a limitation on the number of structures or the number of structures of a specified class which may be constructed, erected, or made within any particular area, such planning scheme may contain provisions requiring the responsible authority to divide any land in such area into units for the purpose of the application of such limitation to such units rateably in proportion to the superficial contents of such units respectively.

(2) Where a planning scheme contains a provision under this section requiring the responsible authority to divide land into units, such planning scheme—

(a) shall contain provisions enabling any owner of any land so divided to appeal to the Minister and enabling the Minister on any such appeal to confirm the division or to modify it in any manner which he thinks proper, and

(b) may contain provisions enabling persons of any specified class (other than owners of any land so divided) to appeal to the Minister and enabling the Minister on any such appeal to confirm the division or to modify it in any manner which he thinks proper.

(3) Where a planning scheme contains a provision under this section requiring the responsible authority to divide land into units, such planning scheme may contain provisions enabling such responsible authority to make alterations in the boundaries of any one or more of such units and, if any such provision is contained in a planning scheme, the immediately preceding sub-section of this section shall apply and have effect in relation to an alteration or a refusal to make an alteration under such provision in like manner as it applies and has effect in relation to a division under a provision requiring the responsible authority to divide land into units.

(4) The determination by the Minister of any appeal brought under provisions contained in a planning scheme by virtue of this section shall be final.

(5) Where the responsible authority has duly divided, under provisions contained in a planning scheme by virtue of this section, any land into units for the purpose of the application of a limitation on the number of structures or the number of structures of a specified class which may be constructed, erected, or made within any particular area, a contravention of such limitation in respect of any of the units specified in such division (as for the time being in operation) shall be a contravention of such planning scheme.

Exemptions from particular provisions of a planning scheme.

9. —A planning scheme may contain, in relation to any particular provision of such planning scheme, a provision enabling the responsible authority, in any case in which, after publication (in the prescribed form and manner and at the prescribed times) of notice of their intention, they think proper so to do, to grant with the consent of the Minister to any person who applies therefor or in respect of any property in relation to which an application therefor is made a total or a partial exemption from one or more or all of the obligations imposed by such particular provision of such planning scheme.

Extension of powers to make special prohibitions.

10. —(1) Where a planning authority has passed a resolution for the making of a planning scheme, such planning authority, in addition to the powers conferred on them by sub-section (1) of section 57 of the Principal Act, may at any time after passing such resolution and before such planning scheme comes into operation prohibit the execution of any specified work (including the cutting down of any specified forest, wood or tree) in the area to which such planning scheme is proposed to relate.

(2) In the Principal Act and this Act the expression “special prohibition” shall include a prohibition made under this section.

Extension of powers to make certain declarations.

11. —(1) Where a planning authority has passed a resolution for the making of a planning scheme and has, before such planning scheme comes into operation, made a special prohibition in relation to any work, such planning authority, in addition to the powers conferred on them by sub-section (1) of section 58 of the Principal Act, may, if they are of opinion either—

(a) that the remedying after the coming into operation of such planning scheme of the prejudicial effect of proceeding with or doing the work to which such special prohibition relates would be unduly costly or would involve undue delay in the enforcement of such planning scheme, or

(b) that such effect would seriously injure the amenities of the neighbourhood during the period before the coming into operation of such planning scheme,

declare, at any time before such planning scheme comes into operation, that any contravention of such special prohibition before such coming into operation shall be unlawful.

(2) A declaration under this section shall, for the purposes of the Principal Act and, in particular, for the purposes of sub-section (2) of section 58 of the Principal Act, be deemed to be a declaration under the said section 58 .

(3) Any person aggrieved by a declaration made under section 59 of the Principal Act or this section may appeal within the prescribed time to the Minister against such declaration, and thereupon the Minister shall either confirm or annul such declaration.

(4) Section 59 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the deletion therefrom of paragraph (g) of sub-section (1) and the said section shall be construed and have effect accordingly.

Revocation and amendment of special prohibition.

12. —A planning authority may at any time revoke or amend a special prohibition previously made by such authority, but such revocation or amendment shall not prejudice or affect the operation of such special prohibition during any period prior to such revocation or amendment.

Frontage line of structures on new or improved roads.

13. —(1) A planning scheme may contain provisions (either in relation to roads generally or in relation to one or more specified roads) empowering the responsible authority to determine the frontage line of buildings and other structures adjoining a road in the area to which such planning scheme relates which is constructed, diverted or widened after the making of such planning scheme and for which a frontage line is not determined by such planning scheme or for which the existing frontage line has become obsolete and prescribing the notices to be given and the procedure to be followed in relation to the exercise of such power.

(2) Where a planning scheme contains provisions under this section empowering the responsible authority to determine a frontage line, such planning scheme shall also contain provisions enabling any person aggrieved by any such determination to appeal against such determination to the Minister and enabling the Minister on such appeal to do such of the following things as he shall think proper, that is to say:—

(a) to annul such determination;

(b) to confirm such determination without modification;

(c) to modify such determination in such manner as he shall think proper and confirm such determination as so modified.

(3) The determination by the Minister of any such appeal as is mentioned in the immediately preceding sub-section of this section shall be final.

(4) Where the responsible authority has duly made a determination of a frontage line under provisions contained in a planning scheme by virtue of this section and no appeal is taken under and in accordance with such planning scheme against such determination or, in case such appeal is taken, such determination is not annulled, a contravention of such determination or (as the case may be) of such determination as confirmed by the Minister shall be a contravention of such planning scheme.

(5) The Principal Act shall be construed and have effect as if sub-section (1) of section 30 thereof provided that a planning scheme may, in addition to the declarations mentioned in that sub-section, contain a declaration that no compensation shall be payable under the Principal Act on account of or arising from the coming into operation of a specified provision contained under this section in such planning scheme.

Compensation in respect of certain directions.

14. —(1) In this section—

the expression “interim direction” means a direction to do or refrain from doing any act given (whether before or after the passing of this Act) by a planning authority directly or by implication by refusing a special permission, by granting a special permission subject to conditions, or by making a special prohibition;

the expression “interim period” means the period between the passing, by the planning authority who gave the interim direction in relation to which such expression is used, of the resolution for the making of the relevant planning scheme and the coming into operation of such planning scheme.

(2) Any person to whom an interim direction has been given may apply to the Minister within the prescribed time for an order declaring that compensation shall be payable in respect of such interim direction, and the Minister on such application may make the order so applied for if he is satisfied that compensation would be payable under the Principal Act in respect of such interim direction were it contained in a planning scheme and that undue hardship would result to such person from compliance with such interim direction during the interim period.

(3) Subject to the provisions of the next following sub-section of this section, an order under this section shall come into force on the expiration of six months from the making thereof.

(4) An order under this section shall not come into force and shall be void and of no effect if during six months from the making thereof the interim direction in respect of which such order was made either has not been complied with or has been revoked.

(5) Where an order under this section has come into force, the provisions of the interim direction in respect of which such order was made shall have effect and be enforceable during the interim period as if they were contained in the relevant planning scheme, as if such scheme were in operation, and as if, for the purposes of such provisions, the responsible authority were the planning authority who gave such interim direction and the relevant date were the date when such interim direction was given.

(6) Where an order under this section in respect of an interim direction is in force and the value of any property in respect of which such interim direction was given is reduced by the enforcement of such interim direction, any person having an estate or interest in or right over or in respect of such property shall, on making application therefor within (but not after) two months from the coming into force of such order, be entitled, subject to the provisions of the sections of the Principal Act applied by the next following sub-section of this section, to be paid by the planning authority who gave such interim direction by way of compensation the amount (if any) by which his estate or interest in or right over or in respect of such property is so reduced in value and, in the case of the occupier of such property, the damage (if any) to his trade, business, or profession occasioned by such enforcement.

(7) The provisions of sections 67 , 71 , 75 and 76 of the Principal Act shall apply in relation to compensation under this section from a planning authority for injury caused by the enforcement, of an interim direction and in relation to the assessment and recovery of such compensation in like manner as they would apply in relation to compensation under section 61 of the Principal Act from the responsible authority in respect of the coming into operation on the date when such interim direction was given of a provision in a planning scheme to the same effect as such interim direction and in relation to the assessment and recovery of such compensation.

(8) Where—

(a) an interim direction has been given, and

(b) an order under this section has come into force in respect of such interim direction during the interim period, and

(c) the relevant planning scheme has come into operation, no compensation shall be payable under Part VIII of the Principal Act in respect of the reduction in value of any estate, interest or right or the damage suffered by any person by reason of the coming into operation of so much of any provision in such planning scheme as is identical or substantially identical with or to the same effect as such interim direction.

(9) Section 64 of the Principal Act shall not have effect in relation to an interim direction in respect of which an order under this section has come into force.

Powers of dispensing with the giving of certain notices and publication of certain advertisements.

15. —(1) Where the Minister is satisfied that reasonable grounds exist for dispensing with the giving of any notice under the Principal Act or this Act or under a regulation made under either of those Acts, he may by order dispense with the giving of such notice and every such order shall have effect according to the tenor thereof.

(2) Where the Minister is satisfied that reasonable grounds exist for dispensing with the publication of any advertisement under the Principal Act as amended by this Act or under a regulation made under either of those Acts, he may by order dispense with the publication of such advertisement and every such order shall have effect according to the tenor thereof.

(3) An order under this section may be made, in the case of an order in relation to a notice, either before or after the time when such notice would, but for such order, be required to be given and either before or after the doing of any act to which such notice would, but for such order, be a condition precedent and, in the case of an order in relation to an advertisement, either before or after the time when such advertisement would, but for such order, be required to be published and either before or after the doing of any act to which such advertisement would, but for such order, be a condition precedent.

Appeals to the Minister.

16. —(1) The Minister may by order make regulations prescribing the time within which persons may appeal under a provision of a planning scheme against a decision, requisition, determination, or other act of the responsible authority.

(2) Whenever an appeal is made to the Minister under the Principal Act or this Act or under any provision of a planning scheme against a decision, requisition, determination, or other act of a planning authority or of the responsible authority, the Minister, if he so thinks proper, may on deciding such appeal direct such planning authority or responsible authority (as the case may be) to pay to the appellant on such appeal such sum as the Minister shall, in his absolute discretion, specify as reasonable compensation to such appellant for the expense occasioned to such appellant in relation to such appeal.

(3) Any sum which the Minister under this section directs any planning authority or responsible authority to pay to the appellant on an appeal shall be paid by such planning authority or responsible authority (as the case may be) to such appellant and, in default of payment, shall be recoverable as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Proof of contents, making, approval, and commencement of planning schemes.

17. —A document which purports to be a copy of a planning scheme or of an extract from a planning scheme and which has endorsed thereon a certificate (purporting to be signed by the chief executive officer of the planning authority by which such planning scheme purports to have been made) stating that such document is a true copy of such planning scheme or a true and correct extract therefrom and that such planning scheme was made by such planning authority and was approved of by the Minister and has come into operation shall, without proof of the signature of such chief executive officer or that he was in fact such chief executive officer, be evidence (until the contrary is proved) in every court and in all legal proceedings of such planning scheme or of such extract therefrom (as the case may be) and of the facts that such planning scheme was duly made by such planning authority and was approved of by the Minister and is lawfully in operation.

The word “owner” in the Principal Act.

18. —(1) The word “owner” wherever it occurs in the Principal Act shall have, and be deemed always to have had, the same meaning as is given to it by this Act for the purposes of this Act.

(2) Sub-section (3) of section 51 of the Principal Act is hereby repealed.