Search Legislation

Forestry Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Enforcement of felling licence conditions and restocking notice

Notice to require compliance with felling licence conditions or restocking notice

24.—(1) The provisions of this section apply if—

(a)any condition of a felling licence is not complied with; or

(b)any restocking notice served by the Department is not complied with.

(2) The Department may give to the person responsible a notice (an “enforcement notice”) requiring such steps as may be specified in the notice 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.

(3) For purposes of subsection (2) “the person responsible” is—

(a)in the case of non-compliance with the conditions of a felling licence, the person specified in subsection (4); and

(b)in the case of non-compliance with a restocking notice, the person on whom the notice was served.

(4) The person referred to in subsection (3)(a) is—

(a)the applicant for the licence, if on the date the notice is served the applicant has such estate in the land as is referred to in section 16(1); or

(b)in any other case, the owner of the land.

(5) If after the expiration of the time specified in the enforcement notice any steps required by that notice have not been taken, an authorised person may, subject to section 25, take those steps.

(6) If an authorised person, in the exercise of powers under subsection (5), takes any steps required by an enforcement notice, the Department may recover from the person to whom the notice was given any expenses reasonably incurred by the Department in connection with the authorised person taking those steps.

(7) Any sums recoverable under subsection (6) may be recovered summarily as a civil debt.

(8) A person who without reasonable excuse fails to take any steps required by an enforcement notice given to that person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(9) A person who is required by an enforcement notice to carry out works or take any other steps may carry out those works or take those steps notwithstanding any lease, covenant or contract relating to the trees or land affected by the notice.

Appeal against enforcement notice

25.—(1) A person to whom an enforcement notice is given in relation to a felling licence may appeal against the enforcement notice to a person appointed under section 26 on the grounds—

(a)that the conditions of the licence have been complied with; or

(b)that the steps required by the enforcement notice to be taken are not required for compliance with the conditions of the licence.

(2) A person to whom an enforcement notice is given in relation to a restocking notice may appeal against the enforcement notice to a person appointed under section 26 on the grounds—

(a)that the restocking notice has been complied with; or

(b)that the steps required by the enforcement notice to be taken are not required by the restocking notice.

(3) An enforcement notice shall be inoperative—

(a)until the expiration of the period for bringing an appeal under this section; and

(b)where an appeal is brought under this section, until the conclusion of any proceedings under this section on that appeal.

(4) On an appeal under this section the person appointed under section 26 may—

(a)confirm the enforcement notice, or

(b)direct the Department to withdraw the notice or modify it in such manner as is specified in the direction.

(5) It is the duty of the Department to give effect to any direction under subsection (4)(b).

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Northern Ireland Assembly department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes accompany all Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources