Forestry Act 1967

10 Application for felling licence and decision of Commissioners thereon.

(1) An application for a felling licence may be made to the Commissioners in the prescribed manner by a person having such an estate or interest in the land on which the trees are growing as enables him, with or without the consent of any other person, to fell the trees.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act (and, in particular, to their duty to take advice under section 37(3)), the Commissioners may on any such application grant the licence, or grant it subject to conditions, or refuse it, but shall grant it unconditionally except in a case where it appears to them to be expedient to do otherwise—

(a) in the interests of good forestry or agriculture or of the amenities of the district; or

(b) for the purpose of complying with their duty of promoting the establishment and maintenance in Great Britain of adequate reserves of growing trees.

(3) A felling licence shall continue in force for such period (not being less than one year from the date on which it is granted) as may be specified therein.

(4) If in the case of any trees the Commissioners refuse an application for a felling licence, the consequences shall be as follows:—

(a) except in a case to which section 14(4) below applies, any person who is for the time being the owner of the trees shall be entitled to compensation under and in accordance with the next following section; and

(b) if the land on which the trees are growing is, or in the opinion of the Commissioners will be, managed in a manner approved by them, the Commissioners may (subject to section 14(5) below), if they think fit and subject to the approval of the Treasury, make to persons interested in the land advances by way of loan of such amounts, upon such terms and subject to such conditions, as they may determine.

(5) At any time after a felling licence has been refused by them in the case of any trees, the Commissioners may, if they think fit, give notice to the owner of the trees that they are prepared to grant a felling licence for the trees either unconditionally or subject to conditions described in the notice; and if the Commissioners give such a notice and an application is duly made to them for a felling licence, they shall grant a licence in accordance with the notice, subject to sections 13(2) and 15 below.

(6) When the Commissioners refuse to grant a felling licence, they shall give notice in "writing to the applicant of the grounds for the refusal.

(7) Where application is made for a felling licence for trees on land which is subject to a forestry dedication covenant or agreement, and the licence is refused, no breach of the covenant or agreement shall be deemed to have occurred by reason of anything done or omitted in consequence of the refusal.