Ministry of Housing and Local Government and predecessors and successor: Development...

The Town and Country Planning Act 1947 required every local planning authority to undertake a survey of their area and submit to the Minister a report of the survey, a county or town map showing the location of various sectors of land use and a programme map indicating the stages by which any development should be carried out. Land designated as subject to compulsory acquisition was defined on a designation map, or on a comprehensive development map. If acquisition did not take place within twelve years (eight for agricultural land) the designation lapsed.

The main purpose of development plans was to guide developers and others concerned with the use of land, and regulate the development of land and its acquisition, development and disposal by local authorities. Unlike planning schemes made under earlier planning Acts, plans under the 1947 Act did not themselves confer any development rights and planning permission still had to be obtained. When a development plan was submitted to the Minister for confirmation the prescribed notice had to be published in the London Gazette and at least one local paper. Any objections would then be heard at either a public inquiry or a private hearing held by the Minister. At least once in every five years, the local planning authority was required to carry out a fresh survey and submit a report, together with any proposed alterations, to the Minister.