New Towns Act 1981

36Functions of Commission

(1)The Commission is incorporated for the purpose of taking over, holding, managing and turning to account the property previously vested in the development corporation for a new town and transferred to the Commission by an order under the following provisions of this Act.

(2)It is the Commission's general duty to maintain and enhance the value of the land held by them and the return obtained by them from it, but in discharging their functions in relation to any town the Commission shall have regard to the purpose for which the town was developed under this Act and to the convenience and welfare of persons residing, working or carrying on business there.

(3)Subject to the provisions of this Act and to any direction given to them by the Secretary of State under section 37 below, the Commission has power, with a view to the better fulfilment of the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above by the improvement of any of their towns, or to the convenience or welfare of persons residing, working or carrying on business there—

(a)to acquire (otherwise than by transfer under this Act), hold, manage and turn to account land situated in or near the town, or any interest in or rights over such land;

(b)with the approval of the Secretary of State given with the concurrence of the Treasury, to make contributions towards the cost of providing amenities for the town, or of providing for it water supplies or sewerage or sewage disposal services;

(c)to promote or assist by any means, and in particular by making advances towards the cost of purchasing land, or of erecting, extending, improving or adapting buildings or works, the setting up or extension of businesses in the town ;

(d)to dispose of any property for such purposes and in such manner as they think fit.

(4)A transaction between a person and the Commission shall not be invalidated by reason of any non-compliance by the Commission with subsection (2) above; nor shall any such transaction be invalidated by reason of any non-compliance by the Commission with the requirement of subsection (3) above that they shall exercise the powers conferred by that subsection with the view there mentioned.

(5)References in this section to disposing of property shall be construed as including references to granting any interest in or rights over it.