15.—(1) A local authority intending to acquire any derelict site compulsorily under this Act shall—

(a) publish in one or more newspapers circulating in their functional area a notice stating their intention to acquire the derelict site compulsorily under this Act, describing the land to which it relates, naming the place where a map of the derelict site is deposited and the times during which it may be inspected and specifying the time within which (not being less than one month) and the manner in which objections to the acquisition of the land may be made to the local authority, and

(b) serve on every owner, lessee and occupier (except tenants for a month or a period less than a month) of the land a notice in the prescribed form stating their intention to acquire the derelict site compulsorily under this Act, describing the derelict site to which it relates, naming the place where a map of the derelict site is deposited and the times during which it may be inspected and specifying the time within which (not being less than one month) and the manner in which objections to the acquisition of the derelict site may be made to the local authority.

(2) In this section “owner” means in relation to land, a person, other than a mortgagee not in possession, who is for the time being entitled to dispose of the fee simple of the land, whether in possession or reversion and includes also a person who holds or is entitled to the rents and profits of the land under a lease or agreement, the unexpired term whereof exceeds three years.