Forestry Act 1967

[F1 Power of Commissioners to direct felling E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F1 Act repealed (S.) (1.4.2019) by Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (asp 8), s. 85(2), sch. 2 (with ss. 80, 83); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in regs. 3-22 (as amended (18.3.2021) by The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential, Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/44), regs. 1(1), 11(2)(b)(3)(a)))

18 Felling directions. E+W+S

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act (and, in particular, to the duty of the [F2 appropriate forestry authority] to take advice under section 37(3), if it appears to the [F2 appropriate forestry authority] that it is expedient in the interests of good forestry, or for purposes connected with their duty of promoting the establishment and maintenance F3 . . . of adequate reserves of growing trees, that any growing trees should be felled—

(a) in order to prevent deterioration or further deterioration in the quality of the timber comprised therein; or

(b) in order to improve the growth of other trees,

they may give directions (in this Act referred to as “felling directions”) to the owner of the trees requiring him to fell them within such period, being not less than two years after the directions have become operative, as may be specified in the directions.

(2) In considering whether to give felling directions, the [F2 appropriate forestry authority] shall have regard to the interests of agriculture and the amenity or convenience of any farm or dwelling-house or park usually occupied with a dwelling-house, or of any land held inalienably by the National Trust or the National Trust for Scotland.

(3) Felling directions given by the [F2 appropriate forestry authority] shall contain a statement of the grounds upon which they are given.

(4) A person who is given felling directions by the [F2 appropriate forestry authority] may comply with the directions notwithstanding any lease, covenant or contract relating to the trees or land affected by the directions.

(5) In the case of trees to which a tree preservation order relates, felling directions given by the [F2 appropriate forestry authority] after the date on which the order comes into force[F4 shall be sufficient authority for the felling, notwithstanding anything in—

(a) tree preservation regulations, in the case of trees in England or Wales.

F5 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 18 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 59 (with Sch. 7)

F3 Words in s. 18(1) omitted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1747, art. 3, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 4(9)

F4 Words in s. 18(5) substituted (6.4.2012 for E.) by Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), s. 241(3)(4), Sch. 8 para. 3 (with s. 226); S.I. 2012/601, art. 2(a)

F5 S. 18(5)(b) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 20; S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

19 Restrictions on [F6 appropriate forestry authority's] power under s. 18. E+W+S

(1) Felling directions shall not be given in the case of—

(a) fruit trees or trees standing or growing on land comprised in an orchard, garden, churchyard or public open space (as defined in section 9(6) above);

(b) trees on land which is subject to a forestry dedication covenant F7 ...; or

(c) trees which are being managed to the satisfaction of the [F8 appropriate forestry authority] in accordance with a plan of operations or other working plan approved by them as mentioned in section 14(1) above, but otherwise than under a forestry dedication covenant F9 ... .

(2) If an application for a felling licence is made to the [F8 appropriate forestry authority] in the case of trees to which a tree preservation order relates and the [F8 appropriate forestry authority] refer the application under section 15 above to the authority who made the order, then so long as the order remains in force no felling directions shall be given in respect of the trees.

(3) If the [F8 appropriate forestry authority] propose to give felling directions in respect of trees to which a tree preservation order relates, they shall give notice in writing of the proposal to the authority by whom the order was made; and if within the prescribed period after the receipt of the notice the authority object to the proposal and do not withdraw the objection, the [F8 appropriate forestry authority] shall not give the directions except with the consent of the Minister [F10 where the felling direction was given in respect of trees in [F11 England or Wales] F12 ...], who shall consult with the said authority before deciding whether to grant or refuse his consent.

(4) F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in s. 19 heading substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 60(4) (with Sch. 7)

F7 Words in s. 19(1)(b) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 21(a); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F8 Words in s. 19 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 60(2) (with Sch. 7)

F9 Words in s. 19(1)(c) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 21(b); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F10 Words in s. 19(3) inserted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1747, art. 3, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 4(14)

F11 Words in s. 19(3) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 60(3) (with Sch. 7)

F12 Words in s. 19(3) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 21(c); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F13 S. 19(4) repealed (27.3.2002) by The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Dissolution) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/794), art. 5(2), Sch. 2 (with art. 6)

20 Review of felling directions. E+W+S

(1) If a person to whom felling directions are given in respect of any trees is aggrieved by the directions on the ground that the felling is not expedient as mentioned in section 18(1), he may by notice served within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner request the Minister [F14 where the felling direction was given in respect of trees in [F15 England or Wales] F16 ...] to refer the matter to a committee appointed in accordance with section 27 below and the Minister F17 [F18 ... shall, unless he is F19 ...] of opinion that the grounds for the request are frivolous, refer the matter accordingly.

(2) The committee to whom a matter is referred under this section, after complying with section 27(3), shall thereupon make a report on the reference to the person by whom the notice was served and to the [F20 appropriate forestry authority], and the [F20 appropriate forestry authority] shall confirm, withdraw or modify the directions in accordance with the report.

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in s. 20(1) inserted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1747, art. 3, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 4(15)(a)

F15 Words in s. 20 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 61(2) (with Sch. 7)

F16 Words in s. 20(1) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 22(a); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F17 Words in s. 20(1) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 22(b); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F18 Words in s. 20(1) substituted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1747, art. 3, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 4(15)(b)

F19 Words in s. 20(1) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 22(c); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F20 Words in s. 20 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 61(3) (with Sch. 7)

21 Courses open to person adversely affected by felling directions. E+W+S

(1) The provisions of this section shall have effect where a person to whom felling directions are given claims that compliance with the directions would involve him in a net loss after taking into account any benefit arising therefrom in respect of other trees of which he is the owner.

(2) The person may by notice given to the Minister [F21 where the felling direction was given in respect of trees in [F22 England or Wales] F23 ...] in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed period—

(a) if he has the right to sell the trees for immediate felling, require the [F24 appropriate forestry authority] to buy the trees to which the directions relate; or

(b) in any case, require the Minister F25 ... to acquire his interest in the land affected by the directions.

A notice under this section requiring the Minister F26 ... to acquire an interest in land shall be deemed to include an offer by the person entitled to that interest to convey to the Minister F26 ... such easement or servitude or other right for the benefit of the land over adjoining land in which that person has an interest as may be agreed between that person and the Minister F26 ... or as may, in default of agreement, be determined in accordance with section 31 of this Act.

(3) The Minister F27 ... may within the prescribed period after receiving the notice either—

(a) accept the notice; or

(b) refer it to a committee appointed in accordance with section 27 below; or

(c) revoke the directions to which it relates.

(4) The committee to whom a matter is referred under this section, after complying with section 27(3), shall thereupon make a report to the Minister F28 ... and to the person by whom the notice under this section was given and shall state—

(a) whether in the opinion of the committee compliance with the felling directions would involve that person in such a loss as aforesaid; and

(b) if so, what modifications (if any) of the directions would be sufficient to avoid that loss.

(5) Where the committee report that compliance with the directions would not involve the person in such loss as aforesaid, the notice shall be of no effect; but in any other case the Minister F29 ... may, within the prescribed period after receiving the report, either—

(a) accept the notice; or

(b) revoke the directions; or

(c) modify the directions in accordance with the report, according as he thinks F30 ... fit.

(6) If within the prescribed period after receiving a notice or the report of a committee under this section the Minister F31 ... has not taken any such action as is authorised by subsection (3) or subsection (5) above, as the case may be, the directions to which the notice relates shall cease to have effect at the expiration of that period.

(7) In determining for the purposes of this section whether compliance with felling directions would involve a person in a net loss, regard shall be had to any compensation received by that person under F32 ... [F33 ... tree preservation regulations,] in respect of a refusal of consent for the felling of the tree.

Textual Amendments

F21 Words in s. 21(2) inserted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1747, art. 3, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 4(16)(a)

F22 Words in s. 21(2) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 61(2) (with Sch. 7)

F23 Words in s. 21(2) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(a); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F24 Words in s. 21(2) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 61(3) (with Sch. 7)

F25 Words in s. 21(2)(b) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(b); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F26 Words in s. 21(2) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(c); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F27 Words in s. 21(3) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(d); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F28 Words in s. 21(4) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(e); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F29 Words in s. 21(5) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(f)(i); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F30 Words in s. 21(5) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(f)(ii); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F31 Words in s. 21(6) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(g); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F32 Words in s. 21(7) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 23(h); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F33 Words in s. 21(7) inserted (6.4.2012 for E.) by Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), s. 241(3)(4), Sch. 8 para. 4 (with s. 226); S.I. 2012/601, art. 2(a)

22 Consequences of acceptance by Minister of notice under s. 21 E+W+S

(1) The following shall be the consequences where a notice given by a person under section 21 is accepted by the Minister F34 ... .

(2) The felling directions in respect of which the notice was given shall cease to have effect.

(3) If the notice requires the [F35 appropriate forestry authority] to buy the trees to which the directions relate, the [F35 appropriate forestry authority] shall be deemed to have contracted with that person to buy the trees on the date of acceptance of the notice at such price and on such terms (including terms as to the time within which the [F35 appropriate forestry authority] may fell and remove the trees) as may in default of agreement be determined in accordance with section 31 of this Act.

(4) If the notice requires the Minister F36 ... to acquire the person’s interest in the land affected by the directions,—

(a) the Minister F37 ... shall be deemed to be authorised to acquire that interest compulsorily under section 39 of this Act and to have served a notice to treat in respect thereof on the date of the acceptance of the notice;

(b) the interest shall for that purpose include any such easement or servitude or other right as, by virtue of section 21(2), the person is deemed to have offered in his notice to convey.

(5) The power conferred by section 31(1) of the M1 Land Compensation Act 1961 F38 ... to withdraw a notice to treat shall not be exercisable in the case of a notice to treat which is deemed to have been served by virtue of this section.

Textual Amendments

F34 Words in s. 22(1) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 24(a); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F35 Words in s. 22(3) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 62 (with Sch. 7)

F36 Words in s. 22(4) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 24(b); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F37 Words in s. 22(4)(a) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 24(c); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

F38 Words in s. 22(5) omitted (1.4.2019) by virtue of The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/734), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 24(d); S.S.I. 2019/47, reg. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1961 c. 33(28:1)

23 Proceedings in respect of felling directions. E+W+S

(1) A request under section 20 of this Act, and a notice under section 21 of this Act, may be made and given in respect of the same directions; and regulations made by the [F39 appropriate legislative authority] under this Part of this Act may make provision for securing—

(a) that in any such case proceedings under those sections respectively on the request and on the notice are taken concurrently;

(b) that proceedings on any such request or notice in respect of any felling directions may be postponed until the expiration of the period within which a notice or a request, as the case may be, might be given or made in respect of those directions.

(2) Felling directions shall be inoperative until the expiration of the period during which such a request or notice as aforesaid may be made or given in respect of the directions and, where a request is made or a notice is given, until the conclusions of any proceedings under section 20 or 21 pursuant to the notice or request.]

Textual Amendments

F39 Words in s. 23(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 63 (with Sch. 7)