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New Towns Act 1981 in Northern Ireland

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
s. 7(2A)-(2D)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 160(a)
s. 7(3)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 160(b)(i)
s. 7(3)words omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 160(b)(ii)
s. 23(2)(i)word omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 161
s. 77(4)(a)(ii)word omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 162
s. 80(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 163
Sch. 10 para. 3(3)(a)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 164
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)word insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(4)
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 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)(i)
s. 1A(8)words omittedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 7(6)(b)(ii)
s. 1ZA 1ZBinsertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(2)
s. 2(1A)insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 16 para. 8
s. 3(1)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 172(3)(a)
s. 1(3ZA)-(3ZD)insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(2)
s. 1ZA(1A)insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(3)
s. 1ZB(2)word substitutedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(4)(a)
s. 1ZB(2)words omittedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(4)(b)
s. 77(2A)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(5)(a)
s. 77(3C)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 s. 101(5)(b)

Contents

  1. 1ALocal authority to oversee development of new town
  2. Development corporations
  3. 4APowers in relation to infrastructure: England
  4. 5Restrictions on powers of development corporations.
  5. 6Allocation or transfer of new town functions.
  6. Planning control in new towns
  7. 7ADevelopment corporation as planning authority in England
  8. 7BArrangements for discharge of, or assistance with, planning functions in England
  9. 8Features of special architectural or historic interest.
  10. 9Frontages and abutments.
  11. Transport functions relating to new towns in England
  12. 9AExercise of transport functions
  13. Transfer schemes: general
  14. 9BTransfer schemes under sections 1 and 9A: general provisions
  15. Acquisition of land by development corporations and highway authorities
  16. 10Acquisition of land by development corporations.
  17. 12Local land charges under ss. 10 and 11.
  18. 13Acquisition of statutory undertakers’ operational land.
  19. 14Application of Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 and modification of Land Compensation Act 1961.
  20. 15Compensation for acquisition of statutory undertakers’ operational land.
  21. Disposal of land by development corporation
  22. 17Conditions as to disposal.
  23. Powers exercisable in relation to land acquired by development corporation or highway authority
  24. 22Possession of houses.
  25. 25Special power to create trunk roads.
  26. Statutory undertakers, and provision of trolley vehicle services
  27. 27Orders under s. 26.
  28. 28Extension or modification of functions.
  29. 29Procedure for orders under s. 28.
  30. 30Relief from obligations rendered impracticable.
  31. 31Objections to orders under ss. 28 and 30.
  32. 32Trolley vehicle services by development corporation.
  33. Public health
  34. 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  35. 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  36. 41APart 2: interpretation
  37. 62APower to extinguish loan obligations of development corporations.
  38. 64Disposal of land to comply with direction under s. 63.
  39. Miscellaneous
  40. Application of Schedule: Wales only
  41. A1Paragraph A1
  42. Making of orders under section 1
  43. 1Paragraph 1
  44. 3Paragraph 3
  45. 4Paragraph 4
  46. 5Paragraph 5
  47. Validity and date of operation of orders under section 1
  48. 6Paragraph 6
  49. 7Paragraph 7
  50. Disposal of land
  51. Licensing
  52. “Excluded land”
  53. 3Paragraph 3
  54. Appointment of members and tenure of office
  55. 1Paragraph 1
  56. 2Paragraph 2
  57. 3Paragraph 3
  58. 4Paragraph 4
  59. 6Paragraph 6
  60. Remuneration
  61. 7Paragraph 7
  62. Pension benefits for chairmen
  63. 8Paragraph 8
  64. Meetings and proceedings
  65. 9Paragraph 9
  66. 10Paragraph 10
  67. Delegation of planning functions
  68. 10AParagraph 10A
  69. 10BParagraph 10B
  70. Instruments, etc.
  71. 11Paragraph 11
  72. 12Paragraph 12
  73. 13Paragraph 13
  74. Part I
  75. Acquisitions by development corporations and local highway authorities
  76. 1Paragraph 1
  77. 2Paragraph 2
  78. 3Paragraph 3
  79. 4Paragraph 4
  80. 4AParagraph 4A
  81. 5AParagraph 5A
  82. 6Paragraph 6
  83. Part II
  84. Special provisions applying to acquisitions by local highway authorities
  85. 7Paragraph 7
  86. 8Paragraph 8
  87. Part III
  88. Acquisitions by the Secretary of State
  89. 9Paragraph 9
  90. 10Paragraph 10
  91. 11Paragraph 11
  92. Part IV
  93. Special provisions as to certain descriptions of land
  94. 13Paragraph 13
  95. Part V
  96. Validity and date of operation of compulsory purchase orders and certificates
  97. 14Paragraph 14
  98. 15Paragraph 15
  99. Part I
  100. Acquisitions by development corporations and local highway authorities
  101. 1Paragraph 1
  102. 2Paragraph 2
  103. 3Paragraph 3
  104. 4Paragraph 4
  105. 5AParagraph 5A
  106. Part II
  107. Acquisitions by Secretary of State
  108. 6Paragraph 6
  109. 7Paragraph 7
  110. 8Paragraph 8
  111. Part III
  112. Modification of Schedule 4 Part V in relation to compulsory purchase orders made in pursuance of s. 13
  113. 9Paragraph 9
  114. Part I
  115. 2Paragraph 2
  116. 3Paragraph 3
  117. 4AParagraph 4A
  118. 4BParagraph 4B
  119. 5Paragraph 5
  120. Part II
  121. Land Compensation Act 1961
  122. Measure of compensation
  123. Exclusion of paragraph 1 at option of statutory undertakers
  124. 2Paragraph 2
  125. Procedure for assessing compensation where paragraph 1 applies
  126. 1Paragraph 1
  127. 2Paragraph 2
  128. 3Paragraph 3
  129. 4Paragraph 4
  130. 5Paragraph 5
  131. 6Paragraph 6
  132. Appointment, resignation and removal of members Repealed
  133. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  134. Remuneration, pensions, et ceteralaetc., of members Repealed
  135. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  136. Committees Repealed
  137. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  138. Remuneration and expenses of members of committees Repealed
  139. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  140. Quorum, procedure and validity of proceedings of Commission and committees Repealed
  141. Sealing and execution of documents Repealed
  142. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  143. Delegation of powers Repealed
  144. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  145. 6Paragraph 6
  146. Schedule 11: Saving and Transitional Provisions
  147. 1Paragraph 1
  148. 2Paragraph 2
  149. 4Paragraph 4
  150. 6Paragraph 6
  151. 7Paragraph 7
  152. 8Paragraph 8
  153. 9–10Paragraph 9–10 Repealed
  154. 11Paragraph 11
  155. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  156. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  157. 13Paragraph 13
  158. Schedule 12: Consequential Amendments
  159. Licensing Act 1964 c. 26
  160. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  161. National Loans Act 1968 c. 13
  162. 2Paragraph 2
  163. New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 c. 16
  164. 3Paragraph 3
  165. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 c. 34
  166. 4Paragraph 4
  167. Post Office Act 1969 c. 48
  168. 5Paragraph 5
  169. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  170. 7–8Paragraph 7–8 Repealed
  171. Land Compensation Act 1973 c. 26
  172. 9Paragraph 9
  173. 10Paragraph 10
  174. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  175. Water Act 1973 c. 37
  176. 12Paragraph 12
  177. 13–14Paragraph 13–14 Repealed
  178. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 c. 24
  179. 15Paragraph 15
  180. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  181. Community Land Act 1975 c. 77
  182. 17Paragraph 17
  183. 18Paragraph 18
  184. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  185. Development of Rural Wales Act 1976 c. 75
  186. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  187. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  188. Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 c. 80
  189. 23Paragraph 23
  190. Rent Act 1977 c. 42
  191. 24Paragraph 24
  192. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  193. National Health Service Act 1977 c. 49
  194. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  195. Housing Act 1980 c. 51
  196. 27Paragraph 27
  197. Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 c. 65
  198. 28Paragraph 28
  199. 29Paragraph 29
  200. British Telecommunications Act 1981 c. 38
  201. 30Paragraph 30
  202. Schedule 13Repeals