The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

Environmental duties with respect to areas of special interest

9.—(1) Where DOE is of the opinion that any area of land—

(a) is of special interest by reason of its flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features; and

(b) may at any time be affected by schemes, works, operations or activities of a relevant undertaker,

DOE shall notify the fact that the land is of special interest for that reason to every relevant undertaker whose works, operations or activities may affect the land.

(2) Where a relevant undertaker has received a notification under paragraph (1) with respect to any land, that undertaker shall consult DOE before carrying out any works, operations or activities which appear to that undertaker to be likely to destroy or damage any of the flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features by reason of which the land is of special interest.

(3) Paragraph (2) shall not apply in relation to anything done in an emergency where particulars of what is done and of the emergency are notified to DOE as soon as practicable after that thing is done.

(4) The obligations under this Article of a relevant undertaker shall be enforceable under Article 30 by the Department.

(5) Article 8(9) shall apply, as it applies in relation to that Article, for construing (in accordance with Article 13) any references in this Article to a relevant undertaker.