The Preesall Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2015

PART 3ACQUISITION AND POSSESSION OF LAND

CHAPTER 1Powers of acquisition

Compulsory acquisition of land

18.—(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of the Order land as is required for the authorised development or to facilitate it, or is incidental to it.

(2) As from the date on which a compulsory acquisition notice under section 134(3) of the 2008 Act is served or the date on which the Order land, or any part of it, is vested in the undertaker, whichever is the later, all rights, trusts and incidents to which that land or that part of it which is vested (as the case may be) was previously subject are discharged or suspended, so far as their continuance would be inconsistent with the exercise of the powers under this Order.

(3) Any person who suffers loss by the extinguishment or suspension of any private right of way under this article shall be entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(4) This article is subject to article 20 (acquisition of subsoil only) and article 23 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development).

Compulsory acquisition of rights

19.—(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily the existing rights and create and acquire compulsorily the new rights described in the book of reference and shown on the land plans.

(2) As from the date on which a compulsory acquisition notice is served or the date on which any new right is vested in the undertaker, whichever is the later, the land over which any new rights is acquired shall be discharged from all rights, trusts and incidents to which it was previously subject so far as their continuance would be inconsistent with the exercise of that new right.

(3) Subject to section 8 of the 1965 Act, as substituted by article 28 (acquisition of part of certain properties), where the undertaker acquires an existing right over land under paragraph (1), the undertaker shall not be required to acquire a greater interest in that land.

(4) Any person who suffers loss as a result of the extinguishment or suspension of any private right of way under this article shall be entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

Acquisition of subsoil only

20.—(1) The undertaker may acquire compulsorily so much of, or such rights in, the subsoil of the land referred to in paragraph (1) of article 18 (compulsory acquisition of land) as may be required for any purpose for which that land may be acquired under that provision instead of acquiring the whole of the land.

(2) Where the undertaker acquires any part of, or rights in, the subsoil of land under paragraph (1), the undertaker shall not be required to acquire an interest in any other part of the land.

(3) Paragraph (2) shall not prevent article 28 (acquisition of part of certain properties) from applying where the undertaker acquires a cellar, vault, arch or other construction forming part of a house, building or manufactory.

Power to override easements and other rights

21.—(1) Any authorised activity which takes place on land within the Order limits (whether the activity is undertaken by the undertaker or by any person deriving title from the undertaker or by any servants or agents of the undertaker) is authorised by this Order if it is done in accordance with the terms of this Order, notwithstanding that it involves—

(a)an interference with an interest or right to which this article applies; or

(b)a breach of a restriction as to the user of land arising by virtue of a contract.

(2) In this article “authorised activity” means—

(a)the erection, construction or carrying out, or maintenance of any building or work on land;

(b)the erection, construction, or maintenance of anything in, on, over or under land; or

(c)the use of any land (including the temporary use of land).

(3) The interests and rights to which this article applies are any easement, liberty, privilege, right or advantage annexed to land and adversely affecting other land, including any natural right to support and include restrictions as to the user of land arising by the virtue of a contract.

(4) Where any interest or right to which this article applies is interfered with or any restriction breached by any authorised activity in accordance with the terms of this article the interest, right or restriction shall be extinguished, abrogated or discharged at the time that the interference or breach in respect of the authorised activity in question commences.

(5) In respect of any interference, breach, extinguishment, abrogation or discharge in pursuance of this article, compensation—

(a)shall be payable under section 7 or 10 of the 1965 Act(1); and

(b)shall be assessed in the same manner and subject to the same rules as in the case of other compensation under those sections where—

(i)the compensation is to be estimated in connection with a purchase under that Act; or

(ii)the injury arises from the execution of works on or use of land acquired under that Act.

(6) Where a person deriving title under the undertaker by whom the land in question was acquired—

(a)is liable to pay compensation by virtue of paragraph (5), and

(b)fails to discharge that liability,

the liability shall be enforceable against that undertaker.

(7) Nothing in this article shall be construed as authorising any act or omission on the part of any person which is actionable at the suit of any person on any grounds other than such an interference or breach as is mentioned in paragraph (1) of this article.

Application of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981

22.—(1) The Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981(2) shall apply as if this Order were a compulsory purchase order and as if the undertaker were a public authority under section 1(2) of that Act.

(2) The Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981, as so applied, shall have effect with the following modifications.

(3) In section 3 (preliminary notices), for subsection (1) there shall be substituted—

“(1) Before making a declaration under section 4 with respect to any land which is subject to a compulsory purchase order, the acquiring authority shall include the particulars specified in subsection (3) in a notice which is—

(a)given to every person with a relevant interest in the land with respect to which the declaration is to be made (other than a mortgagee who is not in possession); and

(b)published in a local newspaper circulating in the area in which the land is situated.”.

(4) In that section, in subsection (2), for “(1)(b)” there shall be substituted “(1)” and after “given” there shall be inserted “and published”.

(5) In that section, for subsections (5) and (6) there shall be substituted—

“(5) For the purposes of this section, a person has a relevant interest in land if—

(a)that person is for the time being entitled to dispose of the fee simple of the land, whether in possession or in reversion; or

(b)that person holds, or is entitled to the rents and profits of, the land under a lease or agreement, the unexpired term of which exceeds one month.”.

(6) In section 5 (earliest date for execution of declaration)—

(a)in subsection (1), after “publication” there shall be inserted “in a local newspaper circulating in the area in which the land is situated”; and

(b)subsection (2) shall be omitted.

(7) In section 7 (constructive notice to treat), in subsection (1)(a), the words “(as modified by section 4 of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981)” shall be omitted.

(8) References to the 1965 Act in the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 shall be construed as references to that Act as applied by section 125 of the 2008 Act to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order.

CHAPTER 2Temporary possession of land

Temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development

23.—(1) The undertaker may, in connection with the carrying out of the authorised development—

(a)enter on and take temporary possession of the land specified in columns (1) and (2) of Schedule 6 (land of which temporary possession may be taken) for the purpose specified in relation to that land in column (3) of that Schedule relating to the part of the authorised development specified in column (4) of that Schedule;

(b)remove any buildings and vegetation from that land; and

(c)construct temporary works (including the provision of means of access) and buildings on that land.

(2) Not less than 14 days before entering on and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker shall serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land.

(3) The undertaker may not, without the agreement of the owners of the land, remain in possession of any land under this article after the end of the period of one year beginning with the date of completion of the part of the authorised development specified in relation to that land in column (4) of Schedule 6 (land of which temporary possession may be taken) unless and to the extent that it is authorised to do so by the acquisition of rights over land or the creation of new rights over land pursuant to article 19 (compulsory acquisition of rights) of this Order.

(4) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker shall remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land; but the undertaker shall not be required to replace a building removed under this article.

(5) The undertaker shall pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land of which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the provisions of any power conferred by this article.

(6) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (5), or as to the amount of the compensation, shall be determined under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(7) Nothing in this article shall affect any liability to pay compensation under section 10(2) of the 1965 Act (further provisions as to compensation for injurious affection) or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the carrying out of the authorised development, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (5).

(8) The undertaker may not compulsorily acquire under this Order the land referred to in paragraph (1) except that the undertaker shall not be precluded from—

(a)acquiring new rights over any part of that land under article 19 (compulsory acquisition of rights); or

(b)acquiring any part of the subsoil (or rights in the subsoil) of that land under article 20 (acquisition of subsoil only).

(9) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, the undertaker shall not be required to acquire the land or any interest in it.

(10) Section 13 of the 1965 Act(3) (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) shall apply to the temporary use of land pursuant to this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 of the 2008 Act (application of compulsory acquisition provisions).

Temporary use of land for maintaining authorised development

24.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), at any time during the maintenance period relating to any part of the authorised development, the undertaker may—

(a)enter on and take temporary possession of any land within the Order limits if such possession is reasonably required for the purpose of maintaining the authorised development;

(b)enter on any land within the Order limits for the purpose of gaining access as is reasonably required for the purpose of maintaining the authorised development; and

(c)construct such temporary works (including the provision of means of access) and buildings on the land as may be reasonably necessary for that purpose.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not authorise the undertaker to take temporary possession of—

(a)any house or garden belonging to a house; or

(b)any building (other than a house) if it is for the time being occupied.

(3) Not less than 28 days before entering on and taking temporary possession of land under this article the undertaker shall serve notice of the intended entry on the owners and occupiers of the land.

(4) The undertaker may remain in possession of land under this article only for so long as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the maintenance of the part of the authorised development for which possession of the land was taken.

(5) Before giving up possession of land of which temporary possession has been taken under this article, the undertaker shall remove all temporary works and restore the land to the reasonable satisfaction of the owners of the land.

(6) The undertaker shall pay compensation to the owners and occupiers of land of which temporary possession is taken under this article for any loss or damage arising from the exercise in relation to the land of the provisions of this article.

(7) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under paragraph (6), or as to the amount of the compensation, shall be determined under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(8) Nothing in this article shall affect any liability to pay compensation under section 10(2) of the 1965 Act (further provisions as to compensation for injurious affection) or under any other enactment in respect of loss or damage arising from the maintenance of the authorised development, other than loss or damage for which compensation is payable under paragraph (6).

(9) Where the undertaker takes possession of land under this article, the undertaker shall not be required to acquire the land or any interest in it.

(10) Section 13 of the 1965 Act (refusal to give possession to acquiring authority) shall apply to the temporary use of land pursuant to this article to the same extent as it applies to the compulsory acquisition of land under this Order by virtue of section 125 of the 2008 Act (application of compulsory acquisition provisions).

(11) In this article “the maintenance period”, in relation to any part of the authorised development, means the period of 5 years beginning with the date on which that part of the authorised development is first opened for use.

CHAPTER 3Compensation

Disregard of certain interests and improvements

25.—(1) In assessing the compensation payable to any person on the acquisition from that person of any land or right over any land under this Order, the tribunal shall not take into account—

(a)any interest in land; or

(b)any enhancement of the value of any interest in land by reason of any building erected, works executed or improvement or alteration made on relevant land,

if the tribunal is satisfied that the creation of the interest, the erection of the building, the execution of the works or the making of the improvement or alteration as part of the authorised development was not reasonably necessary and was undertaken with a view to obtaining compensation or increased compensation.

(2) In paragraph (1) “relevant land” means the land acquired from the person concerned or any other land with which that person is, or was at the time when the building was erected, the works executed or the improvement or alteration made as part of the authorised development, directly or indirectly concerned.

Set-off for enhancement in value of retained land

26.—(1) In assessing the compensation payable to any person in respect of the acquisition from that person under this Order of any land (including the subsoil) the tribunal shall set off against the value of the land so acquired any increase in value of any contiguous or adjacent land belonging to that person in the same capacity which will accrue to that person by reason of the construction of the authorised development.

(2) In assessing the compensation payable to any person in respect of the acquisition from that person of any new rights over land (including the subsoil), under article 19 (compulsory acquisition of rights), the tribunal shall set off against the value of the rights so acquired—

(a)any increase in the value of the land over which the new rights are required; and

(b)any increase in value of any contiguous or adjacent land belonging to that person in the same capacity,

which will accrue to that person by reason of the construction of the authorised development.

(3) The 1961 Act shall have effect, subject to paragraphs (1) and (2), as if this Order were a local enactment for the purposes of that Act.

No double recovery

27.  Compensation shall not be payable in respect of the same matter both under this Order and under any other enactment, any contract or any rule of law, or under two or more different provisions under this Order.

CHAPTER 4Supplementary

Acquisition of part of certain properties

28.—(1) This article shall apply instead of section 8(1) of the 1965 Act (other provisions as to divided land) (as applied by section 125 of the 2008 Act) where—

(a)a notice to treat is served on a person (“the owner”) under the 1965 Act (as so applied) in respect of land forming only part of a house, building or manufactory or of land consisting of a house with a park or garden (“the land subject to the notice to treat”); and

(b)a copy of this article is served on the owner with the notice to treat.

(2) In such a case, the owner may, within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice was served, serve on the undertaker a counter-notice objecting to the sale of the land subject to the notice to treat which states that the owner is willing and able to sell the whole (“the land subject to the counter-notice”).

(3) If no such counter-notice is served within that period, the owner shall be required to sell the land subject to the notice to treat.

(4) If such a counter-notice is served within that period, the question whether the owner shall be required to sell only the land subject to the notice to treat shall, unless the undertaker agrees to take the land subject to the counter-notice, be referred to the tribunal.

(5) If on such a reference the tribunal determines that the land subject to the notice to treat can be taken—

(a)without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice; or

(b)where the land subject to the notice to treat consists of a house with a park or garden, without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice and without seriously affecting the amenity and convenience of the house,

the owner shall be required to sell the land subject to the notice to treat.

(6) If on such a reference the tribunal determines that only part of the land subject to the notice to treat can be taken—

(a)without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice; or

(b)where the land subject to the notice to treat consists of a house with a park or garden, without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice and without seriously affecting the amenity and convenience of the house,

the notice to treat shall be deemed to be a notice to treat for that part.

(7) If on such a reference the tribunal determines that—

(a)the land subject to the notice to treat cannot be taken without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice; but

(b)the material detriment is confined to a part of the land subject to the counter-notice,

the notice to treat shall be deemed to be a notice to treat for the land to which the material detriment is confined in addition to the land already subject to the notice, whether or not the additional land is land which the undertaker is authorised to acquire compulsorily under this Order.

(8) If the undertaker agrees to take the land subject to the counter-notice, or if the tribunal determines that—

(a)none of the land subject to the notice to treat can be taken without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice or, as the case may be, without material detriment to the remainder of the land subject to the counter-notice and without seriously affecting the amenity and convenience of the house; and

(b)the material detriment is not confined to a part of the land subject to the counter-notice,

the notice to treat shall be deemed to be a notice to treat for the land subject to the counter-notice whether or not the whole of that land is land which the undertaker is authorised to acquire compulsorily under this Order.

(9) Where, by reason of a determination by the tribunal under this article, a notice to treat is deemed to be a notice to treat for less land or more land than that specified in the notice, the undertaker may, within the period of 6 weeks beginning with the day on which the determination is made, withdraw the notice to treat; and, in that event, shall pay the owner compensation for any loss or expense occasioned to the owner by the giving and withdrawal of the notice, to be determined in case of dispute by the tribunal.

(10) Where the owner is required under this article to sell only part of a house, building or manufactory or of land consisting of a house with a park or garden, the undertaker shall pay the owner compensation for any loss sustained by the owner due to the severance of that part in addition to the value of the interest acquired.

Statutory undertakers

29.  The undertaker may—

(a)acquire compulsorily the land belonging to statutory undertakers shown on the land plans within the limits of the land to be acquired and described in the book of reference;

(b)within the Order limits extinguish the rights of, or remove, replace, reposition, renew, alter and supplement the apparatus belonging to, statutory undertakers shown on the access and temporary stopping up plans and described in the book of reference; and

(c)acquire compulsorily the new rights over land belonging to statutory undertakers shown on the land plans and described in the book of reference.

Recovery of costs of new connections

30.—(1) Where any apparatus of a public utility undertaker or of a public communications provider is removed under article 29 (statutory undertakers), any person who is the owner or occupier of premises to which a supply was given from that apparatus shall be entitled to recover from the undertaker compensation in respect of expenditure reasonably incurred by that person, in consequence of the removal, for the purpose of effecting a connection between the premises and any other apparatus from which a supply is given.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of the removal of a public sewer but where such a sewer is removed under article 29, any person who is—

(a)the owner or occupier of premises the drains of which communicated with that sewer; or

(b)the owner of a private sewer which communicated with that sewer,

shall be entitled to recover from the undertaker compensation in respect of expenditure reasonably incurred by that person, in consequence of the removal, for the purpose of making the drain or sewer belonging to that person communicate with any other public sewer or with a private sewerage disposal plant.

(3) This article shall not have effect in relation to apparatus to which Part 3 of the 1991 Act applies.

(4) In this article—

“public communications provider” has the same meaning as in section 151(1) of the Communications Act 2003(4); and

“public utility undertaker” has the same meaning as in the 1980 Act.

Time limit for exercise of authority to acquire land compulsorily

31.—(1) After the end of the period of 5 years beginning on the day on which this Order is made—

(a)no notice to treat shall be served under Part 1 of the 1965 Act; and

(b)no declaration shall be executed under section 4 of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981(5) as applied by article 22 (application of the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981).

(2) The authority conferred by article 23 (temporary use of land for carrying out the authorised development) shall cease at the end of the period referred to in paragraph (1), save that nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the undertaker remaining in possession of land after the end of that period, if the land was entered and possession was taken before the end of that period.

Private rights of way

32.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights of way over land subject to compulsory acquisition under this Order shall be extinguished—

(a)as from the date of acquisition of the land by the undertaker, whether compulsorily or by agreement; or

(b)on the date of entry on the land by the undertaker under section 11(1) of the 1965 Act(6) (power of entry),

whichever is the earlier.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights of way over land owned by the undertaker which, being within the limits of land which may be acquired shown on the land plans, is required for the purposes of this Order shall be extinguished on the appropriation of the land by the undertaker for any of those purposes.

(3) Subject to the provisions of this article, all private rights of way over land of which the undertaker takes temporary possession under this Order shall be suspended and unenforceable for as long as the undertaker remains in lawful possession of the land.

(4) Any person who suffers loss by the extinguishment or suspension of any private right of way under this article shall be entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(5) This article does not apply in relation to any right of way to which section 138 of the 2008 Act (extinguishment of rights, and removal of apparatus, of statutory undertakers etc.) or article 29 (statutory undertakers) applies.

(6) Paragraphs (1) to (3) shall have effect subject to—

(a)any notice given by the undertaker before—

(i)the completion of the acquisition of the land,

(ii)the undertaker’s appropriation of it,

(iii)the undertaker’s entry onto it, or

(iv)the undertaker’s taking temporary possession of it,

that any or all of those paragraphs shall not apply to any right of way specified in the notice; and

(b)any agreement made at any time between the undertaker and the person in or to whom the right of way in question is vested or belongs.

(7) If any such agreement as is referred to in paragraph (6)(b)—

(a)is made with a person in or to whom the right of way is vested or belongs; and

(b)is expressed to have effect also for the benefit of those deriving title from or under that person,

it shall be effective in respect of the persons so deriving title, whether the title was derived before or after the making of the agreement.

Rights under or over streets

33.—(1) The undertaker may enter on and appropriate so much of the subsoil of, or air-space over, any street within the Order limits as may be required for the purposes of the authorised development and may use the subsoil or air-space for those purposes or any other purpose ancillary to the authorised development.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the undertaker may exercise any power conferred by paragraph (1) in relation to a street without being required to acquire any part of the street or any easement or right in the street.

(3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply in relation to—

(a)any subway or underground building; or

(b)any cellar, vault, arch or other construction in, on or under a street which forms part of a building fronting onto the street.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), any person who is an owner or occupier of land appropriated under paragraph (1) without the undertaker acquiring any part of that person’s interest in the land, and who suffers loss as a result, shall be entitled to compensation to be determined, in case of dispute, under Part 1 of the 1961 Act.

(5) Compensation shall not be payable under paragraph (4) to any person who is an undertaker to whom section 85 of the 1991 Act (sharing cost of necessary measures) applies in respect of measures of which the allowable costs are to be borne in accordance with that section.