24 Notice to require compliance with conditions or directions.E+W+S
(1)The provisions of this section shall apply if—
(a)any works required to be carried out in accordance with conditions of a felling licence are not so carried out; or
(b)any felling directions given by the Commissioners are not complied with.
(2)The Commissioners may give to the person responsible a notice requiring such steps as may be specified therein to be taken within such time (not being less than the prescribed period after the notice has become operative) as may be so specified for remedying the default; and for purposes of this subsection, “the person responsible” is—
(a)in the case of non-compliance with conditions of a felling licence, the owner of the land; and
(b)in the case of non-compliance with felling directions, the owner of the trees.
(3)If after the expiration of the time specified in the notice any steps required by the notice have not been taken, the Commissioners may, subject to the following section, enter on the land and take those steps.
(4)Without prejudice to the powers of the Commissioners under the foregoing subsection, a person who without reasonable excuse fails to take any steps required by a notice given to him under this section shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F1level 5 on the standard scale]; and proceedings in respect of such an offence may be instituted within six months of the first discovery of the offence by the person taking the proceedings, provided that no proceedings shall be instituted more than two years after the date of the offence.
(5)A person who is required by a notice under this section to carry out works or take any steps may carry out those works or take the steps notwithstanding any lease, covenant or contract relating to the trees or land affected by the notice.
Textual Amendments
F1Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1;), ss. 39, 46, Sch. 3 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), Sch. 7D and expressed to be substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 3, 7(2), Sch. 1 para. 10, Sch. 2 Pt.III