PART 4Felling
CHAPTER 3Felling permission
I130Suspension of felling permission
1
The Scottish Ministers may suspend a felling permission if subsection (2) or (3) applies.
2
This subsection applies if the Scottish Ministers have reason to believe—
a
that a felling permission has not been complied with, is not being complied with or is likely not to be complied with,
b
that that has resulted in, is resulting in, or is likely to result in, harm to the environment or to any living thing, and
c
that, for the purpose of allowing the Scottish Ministers to investigate the circumstances mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b)—
i
in a case where felling has not begun, felling should not begin,
ii
in a case where felling has begun, felling should stop immediately.
3
This subsection applies if the Scottish Ministers have reason to believe that, to prevent or minimise harm to the environment or to any living thing—
a
in a case where felling has not begun, felling should not begin,
b
in a case where felling has begun, felling should stop immediately.
4
The Scottish Ministers must give a notice suspending a felling permission to the person to whom the felling permission was granted.
5
The notice must—
a
set out the Scottish Ministers' reasons for making the suspension,
b
specify the effect of the suspension on the felling permission,
c
specify the date on which the suspension takes effect (which must not be earlier than the date on which the notice is given under subsection (4)), and
d
specify the period for which the suspension is to have effect.