16.—(1) Any of the persons upon whom notices of the proposed compulsory acquisition of a derelict site have been served may, within the time and in the manner specified in the notices, submit to the local authority an objection to the proposed compulsory acquisition referred to in the notice.

(2) An objection to the proposed compulsory acquisition of any derelict site may be withdrawn by the person who made it, by notice in writing sent to the local authority.

(3) Where in relation to the proposed compulsory acquisition of any derelict site by a local authority an objection is made to the local authority in accordance with subsection (1) and is not withdrawn, the derelict site shall not be acquired compulsorily by the local authority without the consent of the Minister.

(4) An application by a local authority for the consent of the Minister to the compulsory acquisition of any derelict site under this Act shall be made within one month after the expiry of the time within which objection to the proposed acquisition may be made and shall be accompanied by the relevant map, the objection duly made to the local authority in pursuance of this section in relation to the compulsory acquisition and not subsequently withdrawn, the comments of the authority (if any) on the objection and such other documents and particulars as may be prescribed.

(5) On receipt of the comments of the authority (if any) referred to in subsection (4), the Minister shall, by notice served on the person who made the objection send a copy of such comments to that person who may, within twenty-one days from the date of the service of the notice, make observations to the Minister in relation to the comments.

(6) On an application under subsection (4), in relation to any derelict site referred to in a notice published by a local authority under section 15, the Minister may, as he thinks fit, grant or refuse to grant his consent to the compulsory acquisition of all or part of the derelict site.