Law TCPA

Section 1

States that the Act is called the Town and Country Planning Act.

Section 2

Defines key terms used throughout the Act such as advertisement, Authority, development, local authority, planning permission, etc.

Section 3

The Minister appoints persons to constitute the Town and Country Planning Authority and outlines their powers and duties.

Section 4

Creates the Committee, explains its composition, appointment rules, and its advisory role to the Minister.

Section 4A

The Minister may create an interim development order for land not under a confirmed development order. It specifies area, parish, permissible development, timing, and local authority functions.

Section 5

The Authority prepares provisional orders to guide land development, protect amenities, coordinate roads/services, and ensure sanitary conditions.

Section 6

Outlines who may object, how they should object, and defines “interested persons.”

Section 7

The Minister may confirm orders, with or without modification, after receiving objections and recommendations.

Section 8

The Minister may require amendments to confirmed development orders using the same process as original provisional orders.

Section 9

Regulates development carried out in the interim period after publication of a provisional order but before confirmation.

Section 10

Lists matters development orders may address (roads, buildings, open space, etc.) and allows conditional or unconditional permission.

Section 11

Allows applications to local planning authorities, who may grant or refuse permission; they must consider the development order and other material factors.

Section 12

Some applications must be referred to the Authority for decision instead of the local planning authority.

Section 13

Applicants may appeal the local authority’s decision to the Minister.

Section 14

Allows persons to ask whether planning permission is necessary for specific proposals.

Section 15

Explains types of conditions (design, appearance, use, time limits) that may be attached.

Section 16

Defines decisions that give rise to compensation claims.

Section 17

Provides compensation where permission is refused under specific conditions.

Section 18

Lists situations where compensation cannot be claimed.

Section 19

No compensation if other reasonable development is permitted.

Section 20

Outlines how claims must be made and processed.

Section 21

The Compensation Assessment Board must notify the Minister of assessments.

Section 22

Local planning authorities may revoke or modify existing permissions, subject to Ministerial confirmation.

Section 22A

Allows issuance of stop notices requiring immediate cessation of unauthorised development.

Section 23

Enables service of enforcement notices requiring correction of unauthorised development; details posting, notice content and timelines.

Section 23A

Provides a right of appeal within 14 days; Minister may quash, vary, or dismiss.

Section 23B

Authorities may seek court injunctions to restrain breaches of planning control.

Section 24

Local authority can recover costs of carrying out enforcement actions from landowners.

Section 25

Local authority may protect trees/woodlands and require consent for cutting, with penalties for breaches.

Section 26

Minister may regulate outdoor advertisements.

Section 27

Allows claims for damage or loss caused by actions under enforcement or preservation powers.

Section 28

Allows authorities to require owners to maintain derelict or neglected land.

Section 28A

Minister may appoint persons to hear appeals and submit findings.

Section 29

Authorised persons may enter land for inspections, surveys, and enforcement, with notice requirements and penalties for obstruction.

Section 30

Specifies how notices or documents must be served.

Section 31

Minister may make regulations for procedures, documents, storage of materials, and other administrative matters.

Section 32

Creates offences for false statements, prohibited land use, etc., with fines and imprisonment.

Section 33

Land sale contracts remain valid even if planning requirements were breached, but cannot be executed until compliance occurs.

Section 34

Establishes the Board to determine compensation under the Act.