Legal background
The legislation which this Act amends is set out in a number of Acts of Parliament. This legislation is referred to below. Further explanations, where required, are set out in the section-by-section commentary.
	The principal planning Act is the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 ("1990 Act"). This Act makes several amendments to the 1990 Act, as well as amendments to the following other planning legislation:
the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, which makes provision in respect of enterprise zones and urban development corporations;
the New Towns Act 1981;
the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 concerning special controls of buildings and areas of special historic or architectural interest;
the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, which brought about changes to the development plan system and to planning control;
the Planning Act 2008 in relation to nationally significant infrastructure projects; and
the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015.
	This Act amends the following legislation which deals with housing, including social housing:
the Housing Act 1985;
the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985;
the Housing Act 1988;
the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;
the Housing Act 1996;
the Local Government Act 2003;
the Housing Act 2004;
the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008; and
the Localism Act 2011.
	The main legislation relating to compulsory purchase, which this Act amends, is as follows:
the Land Compensation Act 1961;
the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965;
the Land Compensation Act 1973;
the Acquisition of Land Act 1981;
the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981; and
the Planning and Compensation Act 1991.
	In relation to public authority land, this Act amends the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, Part 10 of which deals with land held by public bodies. The sustainability and efficiency of the central government estate is dealt with by the Climate Change Act 2008; the Act contains provisions which amend that Act.
	This Act also amends:
sections 8 and 9 of the Rentcharges Act 1977;
section 33 of the Estate Agents Act 1979, and inserts a new section 24A into that Act;
Schedule 11 to the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002;
the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005;
the Crossrail Act 2008; and
the Consumer Rights Act 2015.