The Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2007

This Order brings into force certain provisions of section 24 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 on 6th February 2007 for the purpose of enabling provisions to be made by order and for all remaining purposes on 31st March 2007. Section 24 amends the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (“the 1997 Act”) to introduce planning controls over marine fish farming in transitional and coastal water. Subsection (2)(a) inserts new definitions into section 26 of the 1997 Act to extend the meaning of development to certain works in marine waters. Subsection 2(b) introduces two new subsections (6A) and (6B) into section 26 of the 1997 Act. These provisions confer powers on the Scottish Ministers to make orders making modifications (including amendments or repeals) as they consider necessary or expedient in respect of the definitions of “fish farming” and “equipment” in subsection (6) of section 26.

Section 24(3) amends section 40 of the 1997 Act to require the effect of proposed development on the water environment to be considered before planning permission is granted for marine fish farming.

Section 24(4) amends section 275 of the 1997 Act in respect of the Scottish Ministers' powers to make orders and regulations under section 26(6A).