OpenLegislation

New Towns Act 1981 in Scotland

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. Part IV: Finance
  38. General financial provisions
  39. 60Limit on borrowing by development corporations ...
  40. 62APower to extinguish loan obligations of development corporations.
  41. 64Disposal of land to comply with direction under s. 63.
  42. Part V: General and Supplemental
  43. Miscellaneous
  44. Application of Schedule: Wales only
  45. A1Paragraph A1
  46. Making of orders under section 1
  47. 1Paragraph 1
  48. 3Paragraph 3
  49. 4Paragraph 4
  50. 5Paragraph 5
  51. Validity and date of operation of orders under section 1
  52. 6Paragraph 6
  53. 7Paragraph 7
  54. Disposal of land
  55. Licensing
  56. “Excluded land”
  57. 3Paragraph 3
  58. Appointment of members and tenure of office
  59. 1Paragraph 1
  60. 2Paragraph 2
  61. 3Paragraph 3
  62. 4Paragraph 4
  63. 6Paragraph 6
  64. Remuneration
  65. 7Paragraph 7
  66. Pension benefits for chairmen
  67. 8Paragraph 8
  68. Meetings and proceedings
  69. 9Paragraph 9
  70. 10Paragraph 10
  71. Delegation of planning functions
  72. 10AParagraph 10A
  73. 10BParagraph 10B
  74. Instruments, etc.
  75. 11Paragraph 11
  76. 12Paragraph 12
  77. 13Paragraph 13
  78. Part I
  79. Acquisitions by development corporations and local highway authorities
  80. 1Paragraph 1
  81. 2Paragraph 2
  82. 3Paragraph 3
  83. 4Paragraph 4
  84. 4AParagraph 4A
  85. 5AParagraph 5A
  86. 6Paragraph 6
  87. Part II
  88. Special provisions applying to acquisitions by local highway authorities
  89. 7Paragraph 7
  90. 8Paragraph 8
  91. Part III
  92. Acquisitions by the Secretary of State
  93. 9Paragraph 9
  94. 10Paragraph 10
  95. 11Paragraph 11
  96. Part IV
  97. Special provisions as to certain descriptions of land
  98. 13Paragraph 13
  99. Part V
  100. Validity and date of operation of compulsory purchase orders and certificates
  101. 14Paragraph 14
  102. 15Paragraph 15
  103. Part I
  104. Acquisitions by development corporations and local highway authorities
  105. 1Paragraph 1
  106. 2Paragraph 2
  107. 3Paragraph 3
  108. 4Paragraph 4
  109. 5AParagraph 5A
  110. Part II
  111. Acquisitions by Secretary of State
  112. 6Paragraph 6
  113. 7Paragraph 7
  114. 8Paragraph 8
  115. Part III
  116. Modification of Schedule 4 Part V in relation to compulsory purchase orders made in pursuance of s. 13
  117. 9Paragraph 9
  118. Part I
  119. 2Paragraph 2
  120. 3Paragraph 3
  121. 4AParagraph 4A
  122. 4BParagraph 4B
  123. 5Paragraph 5
  124. Part II
  125. Land Compensation Act 1961
  126. Measure of compensation
  127. Exclusion of paragraph 1 at option of statutory undertakers
  128. 2Paragraph 2
  129. Procedure for assessing compensation where paragraph 1 applies
  130. 1Paragraph 1
  131. 2Paragraph 2
  132. 3Paragraph 3
  133. 4Paragraph 4
  134. 5Paragraph 5
  135. 6Paragraph 6
  136. Appointment, resignation and removal of members Repealed
  137. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  138. Remuneration, pensions, et ceteralaetc., of members Repealed
  139. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  140. Committees Repealed
  141. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  142. Remuneration and expenses of members of committees Repealed
  143. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  144. Quorum, procedure and validity of proceedings of Commission and committees Repealed
  145. Sealing and execution of documents Repealed
  146. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  147. Delegation of powers Repealed
  148. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  149. 6Paragraph 6
  150. Schedule 11: Saving and Transitional Provisions
  151. General
  152. 1Paragraph 1
  153. 2Paragraph 2
  154. 4Paragraph 4
  155. 6Paragraph 6
  156. 7Paragraph 7
  157. 8Paragraph 8
  158. 9–10Paragraph 9–10 Repealed
  159. 11Paragraph 11
  160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  161. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  162. 13Paragraph 13
  163. Schedule 12: Consequential Amendments
  164. Licensing Act 1964 c. 26
  165. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  166. National Loans Act 1968 c. 13
  167. 2Paragraph 2
  168. New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 c. 16
  169. 3Paragraph 3
  170. Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 c. 34
  171. 4Paragraph 4
  172. Post Office Act 1969 c. 48
  173. 5Paragraph 5
  174. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  175. 7–8Paragraph 7–8 Repealed
  176. Land Compensation Act 1973 c. 26
  177. 9Paragraph 9
  178. 10Paragraph 10
  179. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  180. Water Act 1973 c. 37
  181. 12Paragraph 12
  182. 13–14Paragraph 13–14 Repealed
  183. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 c. 24
  184. 15Paragraph 15
  185. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  186. Community Land Act 1975 c. 77
  187. 17Paragraph 17
  188. 18Paragraph 18
  189. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  190. Development of Rural Wales Act 1976 c. 75
  191. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  192. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  193. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  194. Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 c. 80
  195. 23Paragraph 23
  196. Rent Act 1977 c. 42
  197. 24Paragraph 24
  198. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  199. National Health Service Act 1977 c. 49
  200. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  201. Housing Act 1980 c. 51
  202. 27Paragraph 27
  203. Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 c. 65
  204. 28Paragraph 28
  205. 29Paragraph 29
  206. British Telecommunications Act 1981 c. 38
  207. 30Paragraph 30
  208. Schedule 13Repeals