NOTICE is hereby given that The Basildon Development Corporation in pursuance of its powers under Section 4 of the New Towns Act, 1946, on the 25th day of April, 1949, made an Order which has been submitted for confirmation by the Minister of Town and Country Planning authorising it to purchase compulsorily for purposes connected with the development of the New Town of Basildon the lands described in the Schedule hereto, being lands outside but adjacent to the area designated by the Basildon New Town (Designation) Order, 1949.

     A copy of the Order, and of the map referred to therein, have been deposited at the offices of the Billericay Urban District Council at 98, High Street, Billericay, Essex, and will be open for inspection without payment of fee between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. and 12 noon on Saturdays.

     Any objection to the Order must be made in writing, stating the grounds of the objection, and addressed to the Minister of Town and Country Planning, 32, St. James's Square, London, S.W.I, before the 4th day of July, 1949.

     The Minister is not, in all cases, required to arrange for objections to be heard by a person appointed by him for that purpose. It is important, therefore, that an objection should include a full statement in writing of the grounds on which the objection is made as the objector may have no further opportunity to make such a statement.

     Any owner or occupier of any land to which the Order relates may send to the Basildon Development Corporation at the address below, a request in writing to serve him with a notice that the Order has been confirmed, and naming a place where a copy of the Order and of the map and of any descriptive matter annexed thereto, may be seen. Such request should contain a statement of the name, postal address and the interest in the land or occupier, and particulars sufficient to enable the extent and boundaries of the land to be identified.

Land and buildings known as Gifford House, Bowers Gifford in the Urban district of Billericay, situate on the South side of and adjoining classified road A. 13 (Grays—Rayleigh) and being Parcel No. 4290 on Ordnance Survey Sheet Essex LXXXI. 12.

     Dated the 1st day of June, 1949.

A. G. BARSON, Secretary,
Duly authorised officer.

11, Grosvenor Square,
London, W.I.

(Source: The London Gazette, publication date: 03rd June, 1949, issue number: 38627, page: 2754.)

2) Later in 1949 the Corporation took over Gifford House and over the coming years carried out many alterations necessary to accommodate their workforce. It remained their headquarters throughout their entire existence and that of their successor, The Commission for The New Towns.

3) It was the only Order issued from their temporary headquarters at 11 Grosvenor Square, London W1, all subsequent Orders being from Gifford House, and issued by anyone other than a board member.