OpenLegislation

New Towns Act 1981

1981 c. 64 · Enacted 30 October 1981 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 37 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 17 June 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 10 para. 3(3)(a)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 164
s. 80(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 163
s. 77(4)(a)(ii)word omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 162
s. 23(2)(i)word omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 161
s. 7(3)words omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 160(b)(ii)
s. 7(3)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 160(b)(i)
s. 7(2A)-(2D)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 160(a)
s. 77(3C)word insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(4)
s. 1A headingsubstitutedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(2)
s. 1A(1)omittedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(3)
s. 1A(2)omittedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(3)
s. 1A(3)omittedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(3)
s. 1A(4)words substitutedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(4)(a)
s. 1A(4)word insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(4)(b)
s. 1A(5)(a)words substitutedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(5)(a)
s. 1A(5)(b)words substitutedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(5)(a)
s. 1A(5)(c)words substitutedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(5)(a)
s. 1A(5)(d)words substitutedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(5)(b)
s. 1A(7)omittedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(6)(a)
s. 1A(8)words omittedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(6)(b)(ii)
s. 2(1A)insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 8
s. 80(1)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 9(2)(a)
s. 80(1)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 9(2)(b)
s. 80(2)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 9(3)
s. 1A(8)words omittedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(6)(b)(i)
s. 1ZA 1ZBinsertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(2)
s. 3(1)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(3)(a)
s. 3(2A)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(3)(b)
s. 3(2B)-(2D)insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(3)(c)
s. 77(3)word insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(4)
s. 77(3B)word insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(4)
s. 77(3C)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(5)(b)
s. 77(2A)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(5)(a)
s. 1ZB(2)words omittedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(4)(b)
s. 1ZB(2)word substitutedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(4)(a)
s. 1ZA(1A)insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(3)
s. 1(3ZA)-(3ZD)insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(2)

C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12C13An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to new towns and connected matters, being (except for section 43 of the New Towns Act 1965 and sections 126 and 127 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 and certain related provisions) enactments which apply only to England and Wales.

[30th October 1981]C14C15

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act extended by Civil Aviation Act 1982 (c. 16, SIF 9), Sch. 2 para. 5

Act extended (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, ss. 16(1), 18(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(1)(xxx); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2

C2

Power to delegate certain powers conferred by Housing Act 1985 (c. 68, SIF 61), s. 30(2)(a)

C3

Act modified by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 2(9)(j) (with s. 67(3), Sch. 8 para. 33)

C4

Act extended by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 2(1)(xli) (with s. 67(3), Sch. 8 para. 33)

C5

Act extended by Airports Act 1986 (c. 31, SIF 9), s. 58, Sch. 2 para. 1(1)

C6

Act modified by Airports Act 1986 (c. 31, SIF 9), s. 58, Sch. 2 para. 1(2)

Act modified (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, ss. 16(1), 18(2), Sch. 4 para. 2(10)(g); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2

C7

Act extended (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 190(1), Sch. 25 para. 1(2)(xxvi) (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

C8

Act modified by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 190(1), Sch. 25 para. 1(10)(viii) (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

C9

Act amended by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 190(1), Sch. 25 para. 1(11)(iv) (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

C10

Act amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1), Sch. 16 para. 2(2)(f ) (with s. 112(3), Sch. 17 paras. 33, 35(1))

C11

Act modified by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1), Sch. 16 para. 3(1)(g) (with s. 112(3), Sch. 17 paras. 33, 35(1))

C12

Act: definition of "new town" applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 97(5), 98(2)(d), 223(2) (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 14 para. 6)

C13

Act (s. 11 and the other provisions of the Act so far as they have effect for the purposes of s. 11) continued (temp.) (Telford) by S.I. 1991/1980, art. 5.

Act (except ss. 69(1), 78(3)(a)): transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1

C14

Act modified (E.) (24.7.2018) by The New Towns Act 1981 (Local Authority Oversight) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/891), reg. 6, Sch. 1 (as amended (26.3.2026) by S.I. 2026/170, reg. 23)

C15

Act: power to amend conferred (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 132, 255(3)(a) (with s. 247)

Contents

  1. Part I: New Towns and Their Development Corporations
  2. New towns
  3. 1Designation of areas.
  4. 1ALocal authority to oversee development of new town
  5. 2Reduction of designated areas.
  6. Development corporations
  7. 3Establishment of development corporations for new towns.
  8. 4Objects and general powers of development corporations.
  9. 4APowers in relation to infrastructure: England
  10. 5Restrictions on powers of development corporations.
  11. 6Allocation or transfer of new town functions.
  12. Planning control in new towns
  13. 7Planning control : proposals given effect by development order.
  14. 7ADevelopment corporation as planning authority in England
  15. 7BArrangements for discharge of, or assistance with, planning functions in England
  16. 8Features of special architectural or historic interest.
  17. 9Frontages and abutments.
  18. Transport functions relating to new towns in England
  19. 9AExercise of transport functions
  20. Transfer schemes: general
  21. 9BTransfer schemes under sections 1 and 9A: general provisions
  22. Acquisition of land by development corporations and highway authorities
  23. 10Acquisition of land by development corporations.
  24. 11Acquisition of land for highways.
  25. 12Local land charges under ss. 10 and 11.
  26. 13Acquisition of statutory undertakers’ operational land.
  27. 14Application of Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 and modification of Land Compensation Act 1961.
  28. 15Compensation for acquisition of statutory undertakers’ operational land.
  29. 16Extinguishment of rights over land compulsorily acquired.
  30. Disposal of land by development corporation
  31. 17Conditions as to disposal.
  32. 18Disposal to pre-acquisition occupiers.
  33. Powers exercisable in relation to land acquired by development corporation or highway authority
  34. 19Power to override easements and other rights. Repealed
  35. 20Consecrated land and burial grounds.
  36. 21Open spaces.
  37. 22Possession of houses.
  38. 23Extinguishment of public rights of way.
  39. 24Section 24
  40. 25Special power to create trunk roads.
  41. Statutory undertakers, and provision of trolley vehicle services
  42. 26Extinguishment of rights of way and removal of apparatus.
  43. 27Orders under s. 26.
  44. 28Extension or modification of functions.
  45. 29Procedure for orders under s. 28.
  46. 30Relief from obligations rendered impracticable.
  47. 31Objections to orders under ss. 28 and 30.
  48. 32Trolley vehicle services by development corporation.
  49. Public health
  50. 33New town may be united district for Public Health Acts.
  51. 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  52. Part II: Transfers from and dissolution of development corporations etc.
  53. Functions of Welsh Ministers in relation to certain transferred property
  54. 35Establishment of Commission. Repealed
  55. 36Functions of Welsh Ministers
  56. 37Restrictions on functions of Commission. Repealed
  57. 38Local authorities and work for Commission. Repealed
  58. Transfer of property and undertakings of development corporations, and their dissolution
  59. 39Power of development corporation to transfer undertakings.
  60. 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  61. 41Transfer of property ... and dissolution of corporation.
  62. 41APart 2: interpretation
  63. III. . .
  64. Part IV: Finance
  65. General financial provisions
  66. 58Advances and grants to development corporations ....
  67. 58AGrants to development corporations ....
  68. 59Other borrowing powers of development corporations ....
  69. 60Limit on borrowing by development corporations ...
  70. 61Provisions supplemental to s. 58.
  71. 62Treasury guarantees.
  72. Financial reconstruction
  73. 62APower to extinguish loan obligations of development corporations.
  74. 62BPower to suspend loan obligations of development corporations and Commission. Repealed
  75. Payments to Secretary of State
  76. 63Secretary of State’s general power.
  77. 64Disposal of land to comply with direction under s. 63.
  78. 65Disposal of surplus funds.
  79. 66Payments under ss. 63 and 65 treated as repayments.
  80. Part V: General and Supplemental
  81. Accounts and audit
  82. 67Accounts of ... development corporations.
  83. 68Audit.
  84. 69Secretary of State’s accounts.
  85. Reports and information
  86. 70Reports.
  87. 71Information.
  88. Miscellaneous
  89. 72Application and exclusion of certain enactments.
  90. 73Rights of entry.
  91. 74Local inquiries.
  92. 75Service of notices.
  93. 76Ecclesiastical property.
  94. 77Regulations and orders.
  95. 78Meaning etc. of “appropriate Minister”.
  96. 79Meaning of “statutory undertakers” and “operational land”.
  97. 80General interpretation provisions.
  98. 81Saving and transitional provisions, consequential amendments and repeals.
  99. 82Short title, extent and commencement.
  100. Schedule 1: Procedure for Designating Area
  101. Application of Schedule: Wales only
  102. A1Paragraph A1
  103. Making of orders under section 1
  104. 1Paragraph 1
  105. 2Paragraph 2
  106. 3Paragraph 3
  107. 4Paragraph 4
  108. 5Paragraph 5
  109. Validity and date of operation of orders under section 1
  110. 6Paragraph 6
  111. 7Paragraph 7
  112. Schedule 2: Effect of Order for Reduction of Designated Area
  113. Disposal of land
  114. 1Paragraph 1
  115. Licensing
  116. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  117. “Excluded land”
  118. 3Paragraph 3
  119. Schedule 3: Constitution and Proceedings of Development Corporations
  120. Appointment of members and tenure of office
  121. 1Paragraph 1
  122. 2Paragraph 2
  123. 3Paragraph 3
  124. 4Paragraph 4
  125. 5Paragraph 5
  126. 6Paragraph 6
  127. Remuneration
  128. 7Paragraph 7
  129. Pension benefits for chairmen
  130. 8Paragraph 8
  131. Meetings and proceedings
  132. 9Paragraph 9
  133. 10Paragraph 10
  134. Delegation of planning functions
  135. 10AParagraph 10A
  136. 10BParagraph 10B
  137. Instruments, etc.
  138. 11Paragraph 11
  139. 12Paragraph 12
  140. 13Paragraph 13
  141. Schedule 4: Procedure for Authorising Compulsory Acquisitions
  142. Part I
  143. Acquisitions by development corporations and local highway authorities
  144. 1Paragraph 1
  145. 2Paragraph 2
  146. 3Paragraph 3
  147. 4Paragraph 4
  148. 4AParagraph 4A
  149. 5Paragraph 5
  150. 5AParagraph 5A
  151. 6Paragraph 6
  152. Part II
  153. Special provisions applying to acquisitions by local highway authorities
  154. 7Paragraph 7
  155. 8Paragraph 8
  156. Part III
  157. Acquisitions by the Secretary of State
  158. 9Paragraph 9
  159. 10Paragraph 10
  160. 11Paragraph 11
  161. Part IV
  162. Special provisions as to certain descriptions of land
  163. 12Paragraph 12
  164. 13Paragraph 13
  165. Part V
  166. Validity and date of operation of compulsory purchase orders and certificates
  167. 14Paragraph 14
  168. 15Paragraph 15
  169. 16Paragraph 16
  170. Schedule 5: Procedure for Authorising Compulsory Acquisition of Statutory Undertakers’ Operational Land
  171. Part I
  172. Acquisitions by development corporations and local highway authorities
  173. 1Paragraph 1
  174. 2Paragraph 2
  175. 3Paragraph 3
  176. 4Paragraph 4
  177. 5Paragraph 5
  178. 5AParagraph 5A
  179. Part II
  180. Acquisitions by Secretary of State
  181. 6Paragraph 6
  182. 7Paragraph 7
  183. 8Paragraph 8
  184. Part III
  185. Modification of Schedule 4 Part V in relation to compulsory purchase orders made in pursuance of s. 13
  186. 9Paragraph 9
  187. Schedule 6: Modifications of Enactments for Purposes of this Act
  188. Part I
  189. Compulsory Purchase Act 1965
  190. 1Paragraph 1
  191. 2Paragraph 2
  192. 3Paragraph 3
  193. 4Paragraph 4
  194. 4AParagraph 4A
  195. 4BParagraph 4B
  196. 5Paragraph 5
  197. Part II
  198. Land Compensation Act 1961
  199. 6Paragraph 6
  200. Schedule 7: Assessment of Compensation to Statutory Undertakers
  201. Measure of compensation
  202. 1Paragraph 1
  203. Exclusion of paragraph 1 at option of statutory undertakers
  204. 2Paragraph 2
  205. Procedure for assessing compensation where paragraph 1 applies
  206. 3Paragraph 3
  207. Schedule 8: Procedure for Dealing with Objections to Orders Under sections 23, 28 and 30
  208. 1Paragraph 1
  209. 2Paragraph 2
  210. 3Paragraph 3
  211. 4Paragraph 4
  212. 5Paragraph 5
  213. 6Paragraph 6
  214. Schedule 9: Additional Provisions as to the Commission
  215. Appointment, resignation and removal of members Repealed
  216. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  217. Remuneration, pensions, et ceteralaetc., of members Repealed
  218. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  219. Committees Repealed
  220. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  221. Remuneration and expenses of members of committees Repealed
  222. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  223. Quorum, procedure and validity of proceedings of Commission and committees Repealed
  224. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  225. Sealing and execution of documents Repealed
  226. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  227. Power to dissolve Commission Repealed
  228. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  229. Delegation of powers Repealed
  230. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  231. Schedule 10: Additional Provisions as to Transfer ... of Property of Development Corporation
  232. 1Paragraph 1
  233. 2Paragraph 2
  234. 3Paragraph 3
  235. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  236. 5Paragraph 5
  237. 6Paragraph 6
  238. Schedule 11: Saving and Transitional Provisions
  239. General
  240. 1Paragraph 1
  241. 2Paragraph 2
  242. Advances ... to development corporations under previous enactments
  243. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  244. 4Paragraph 4
  245. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  246. Saving as to certain provisions relating to housing
  247. 6Paragraph 6
  248. Land Compensation Act 1961
  249. 7Paragraph 7
  250. National Loans Act 1968
  251. 8Paragraph 8
  252. 9–10Paragraph 9–10 Repealed
  253. Land Compensation Act 1973
  254. 11Paragraph 11
  255. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  256. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  257. Schedule 25 to the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980
  258. 13Paragraph 13
  259. Schedule 12: Consequential Amendments
  260. Licensing Act 1964 c. 26
  261. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  262. National Loans Act 1968 c. 13
  263. 2Paragraph 2
  264. New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 c. 16
  265. 3Paragraph 3
  266. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 c. 34
  267. 4Paragraph 4
  268. Post Office Act 1969 c. 48
  269. 5Paragraph 5
  270. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  271. 7–8Paragraph 7–8 Repealed
  272. Land Compensation Act 1973 c. 26
  273. 9Paragraph 9
  274. 10Paragraph 10
  275. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  276. Water Act 1973 c. 37
  277. 12Paragraph 12
  278. 13–14Paragraph 13–14 Repealed
  279. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 c. 24
  280. 15Paragraph 15
  281. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  282. Community Land Act 1975 c. 77
  283. 17Paragraph 17
  284. 18Paragraph 18
  285. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  286. Development of Rural Wales Act 1976 c. 75
  287. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  288. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  289. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  290. Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 c. 80
  291. 23Paragraph 23
  292. Rent Act 1977 c. 42
  293. 24Paragraph 24
  294. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  295. National Health Service Act 1977 c. 49
  296. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  297. Housing Act 1980 c. 51
  298. 27Paragraph 27
  299. Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 c. 65
  300. 28Paragraph 28
  301. 29Paragraph 29
  302. British Telecommunications Act 1981 c. 38
  303. 30Paragraph 30
  304. Schedule 13Repeals