CA 25 October 1988. The appellants (T) were in 1974 freehold owners of two adjoining areas of farm land compulsorily purchased by a development corporation established under New Towns Act 1965 with a view to new town expansion. However it was not used for that purpose and continued to be used as agricultural land by T as licensee of the corporation until April 1985. On 2 April 1985 the land was vested in the New Towns Commission and the development corporation was dissolved in June. Under New Towns Act 1981 s37 the Commission had no power to transfer the freehold of any land without the SoS`s authority. The Corporation therefore has to dispose of the land. In September 1983 guidelines were issued which stated that former owners should be given first opportunity to repurchase land provided it has not been materially changed since acquisition. However under the New Towns and Urban Development Corporation Act 1983 the corporation has to dispose of property transferred to it as soon as e