Town and Country Planning Act · 2022 Revised Edition · Part · Enforcement
35. Authority to enter upon land
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
The Planning Authority may, (with such assistants and workmen as are necessary), at any reasonable time, enter any land for the purpose of —
Planning Authority
“Planning Authority”, in relation to this Act or any Part or provision of this Act, means the person or persons appointed under section 6(1) to be responsible for the operation of this Act or that Part or provision;
ascertaining whether there is, or has been, a contravention of this Act;
ascertaining whether any of the functions conferred by this
Act on the Planning Authority or the Minister should or may be exercised; or
taking any action or carrying out any work authorised or required by or under this Act.
The Planning Authority may take photographs of the land and any property or material found thereon and such other steps as he may consider necessary without involving any search or seizure of any premises, thing or person.
land
“land” includes buildings, land covered by water and any estate or interest in or right over land;
The occupier of any premises shall, if required by the Planning
occupier
“occupier” includes any person in actual occupation of land or premises or any person having the charge, management or control of the land or premises either on his own account or as an agent of another person, but does not include a lodger;
Authority —
give his name and address;
provide proof of his identity; and
Town and Country Planning
give the name and address of the owner of the premises, if known.
Any person who wilfully obstructs the Planning Authority in the performance of any matter or thing which he is authorised to do by this section or fails to comply with the requirement under subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
A police officer may arrest without warrant any person who has committed or whom he reasonably suspects to have committed an offence under subsection (4) —
if the person declines to give his name and address; or
if there is reason to doubt the accuracy of the name and address, if given.
A person arrested under this section may be detained until his name and address are correctly ascertained except that no person so arrested shall be detained longer than is permitted by any written law and is necessary for bringing him before a court unless the order of a court for his detention is obtained.
Terms defined in s 2
land
Defined · s 2“land” includes buildings, land covered by water and any estate or interest in or right over land;
Minister
Defined · s 2“Minister” means the Minister responsible for town and country planning;
occupier
Defined · s 2“occupier” includes any person in actual occupation of land or premises or any person having the charge, management or control of the land or premises either on his own account or as an agent of another person, but does not include a lodger;
owner
Defined · s 2“owner”, in relation to land or premises, means — (a) the owner as shown in the Register kept under section 7 of the Land Code or his legally appointed representative; (b) the person for the time being receiving the rent of the land or premises whether on his own account or as trustee for any other person or as receiver (not being appointed by or on behalf of a mortgagee) or the person who would receive the rent if the land or premises were let to a tenant and includes — (i) a mortgagee in possession; and (ii) the purchaser of a newly constructed premises or part thereof in respect of which a temporary occupation permit or a certificate of statutory completion has been granted;
Planning Authority
Defined · s 2“Planning Authority”, in relation to this Act or any Part or provision of this Act, means the person or persons appointed under section 6(1) to be responsible for the operation of this Act or that Part or provision;