Stop notices
22.—(1) Where it appears to the Scottish Ministers that an offence has been committed under regulations 19, 20 or 21 and they consider that the potential harm to the environment of work to which the offence relates is such that the work should cease with immediate effect, they may serve a notice (a “stop notice”) prohibiting all or any part of such work.
(2) The Scottish Ministers may serve a stop notice on any person who appears to them to have an interest in the relevant land or to be engaged in any activity prohibited by the notice.
(3) The Scottish Ministers may at any time withdraw a stop notice (without prejudice to their power to serve another) by serving notice to that effect on those persons served with the stop notice.
(4) A stop notice shall take effect no earlier than the time and date specified in the notice which, except in an emergency, shall not be less than 24 hours after it has been served.
(5) A stop notice shall cease to have effect–
(a)if a notice of withdrawal is served in accordance with paragraph (3) above;
(b)if the Scottish Ministers (or a delegated person) grant consent for the prohibited work;
(c)if the Scottish Ministers (or a delegated person) decide that the prohibited work is not a relevant project; or
(d)in accordance with an order of the sheriff in relation to an appeal under paragraph (6) below.
(6) A person on whom a stop notice is served may appeal to the sheriff in relation to that notice by summary application within 21 days of service of the notice.
(7) The making of an appeal under paragraph (6) above shall not have the effect of suspending the effect of the stop notice.
(8) On determination of the appeal, the sheriff may by order quash or affirm the stop notice and, if affirming it, may do so either in its original form or with such modifications as may in the circumstances be thought fit.