Arts. 21-23 substituted (20.2.2026) by The Lyme Regis, Bridport (West Bay) and Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/62), arts. 1(1), 54(6), Sch. 2 (with arts. 30, 51, 52)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/43/article/22The Weymouth Harbour Revision Order 2021enHARBOURS, DOCKS, PIERS AND FERRIESStatute Law Database2026-05-05Expert Participation2026-02-20This Order, made on the application of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (now Dorset Council) modernises and consolidates the statutory harbour powers applying in relation to Weymouth Harbour and provides for:The Jurisdiction (article 4) and General functions (article 5) of the Council as the statutory harbour authority for Weymouth Harbour and clarity on the limits of the harbour (article 6) including plans of the harbour limits and the harbour premises which can be inspected during working hours at the office of the Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YH and the principal office of the Dorset Council County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ.Powers to vest in the Council relating to finances including application (article 7), reserve fund (article 8) and borrowing powers (article 9).A modern suite of charging powers (article 10 – 19) including exemptions from harbour dues (article 17) and prevention of sailing of vessels (article 19).Powers of general and special direction on the Council and the harbour master (defined in article 2) for the regulation and management of the harbour (articles 20 to 27). A register of all in force general directions which may be inspected during working hours at the harbour office of the Council (article 23). This Order creates an offence of failing to comply with special or general directions, the penalty for which is a fine on summary conviction not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (article 25). A defence of due diligence is available to a person charged under article 25 (article 25(2)).The establishment of an advisory body consisting of harbour stakeholders with which the Council are required to consult on material matters (article 28).Powers relating to development of land (article 29), power to grant tenancies and dispose of land (article 30), power to appropriate lands and works for particular uses, etc. (article 31), other commercial activities (article 32), power to delegate functions (article 33).Powers relating to moorings (article 34), bunkering (article 35), aids to navigation (article 36), power to dredge (article 37), repairing of landing places (article 38).Powers relating to disposal of wrecks (article 39), unserviceable vessels (article 40), removal of obstructions other than vessels (article 41) and notices (article 43).Savings for Trinity House (article 42), the Crown (article 44) and existing byelaws etc. (article 45).To facilitate that above, the Order repeals and revokes the Acts and Orders set out in Schedule 2 to the Order and amends the Acts of 1854, 1879, 1887, 1914 and Orders of 1930 and 1988 as set out in article 46.PART 5GENERAL DIRECTIONS, SPECIAL DIRECTIONS AND BYELAWS
Procedure for giving, amending or revoking general directions22.(1)

Subject to paragraph (7), if the Council proposes to give, amend or revoke a general direction, it must—

(a)

give notice in writing of the proposal and a plan of the area over which the proposal applies to the “designated consultees” them being—

(i)

the Chamber of Shipping,

(ii)

the Royal Yachting Association,

(iii)

the Harbour Advisory Group, and

(iv)

such other persons as it considers appropriate for the purposes of the application of this provision;

(b)

on the same date as the notice given in accordance with sub-paragraph (a), place a notice of the proposal on the harbour website and in prominent locations at the harbour and keep them on display for a minimum of six weeks;

(c)

consult with the designated consultees upon the proposal and allow a period of not less than six weeks beginning with the date of the notices given in accordance with sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) for written representations to be made by the designated consultees and any other persons to the Council regarding the proposal;

(d)

have regard to all representations made during consultation;

(e)

give notice in writing to the designated consultees, and to those other persons that have provided a representation, following consultation, as to whether the Council proposes to proceed with the proposal and, if so, specifying whether it is making any modifications to the proposal and its reasons for doing so; and

(f)

if the Council proposes to proceed with the proposal and a designated consultee has made representations against the proposal, invite that designated consultee to confirm in writing whether they maintain their representations against the proposal within 28 days beginning with the date of the notice given in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), or such longer period as the Council may specify.

(2)

Where the Council has complied with paragraph (1), it may proceed to give, amend or revoke a general direction if—

(a)

none of the designated consultees have made representations against the proposal;

(b)

none of the designated consultees which made representations against the proposal have confirmed in writing that they are maintaining their representations against the proposal in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(f); or

(c)

where a designated consultee has maintained representations against the proposal in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(f), the requirements of paragraph (3) have been complied with.

(3)

Where a designated consultee has confirmed in writing to the Council that they maintain their representations against the proposal—

(a)

the issue must be referred to an independent person (“the adjudicator”) appointed—

(i)

by agreement between the Council and each designated consultee maintaining representations against the proposal in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(f) (“the parties”), or

(ii)

failing agreement, by the President of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association on the application of any of the parties;

(b)

so far as is reasonably practicable within 12 weeks beginning with the date of the referral, the adjudicator must—

(i)

provide a reasonable opportunity for the parties to make representations to or be heard by the adjudicator at a hearing, and

(ii)

make a written report to the parties with findings and recommendations on the issue; and

(c)

the Council must decide whether to exercise the power to give, amend or revoke the general direction having regard to the adjudicator’s report (but it is not bound to give effect to any recommendations) and, once it has decided, must give notice in writing to the designated consultees and to any other person that provided a representation of its decision and the reasons for that decision.

(4)

Except as otherwise provided for in paragraph (3), the adjudicator may determine the procedure for the making of representations and the conduct of any hearing.

(5)

The costs incurred by the adjudicator and the parties from a referral under paragraph (3) are to be paid by one or more of the parties as the adjudicator may direct.

(6)

If the Council wishes to exercise the power to give, amend or revoke a general direction in a form materially different from both the form notified to the designated consultees under sub-paragraph (1)(e), and where paragraph (3) applies, the form recommended by the adjudicator under sub-paragraph (3)(b), it must proceed as if the proposal is a new proposal to which paragraph (1) applies.

(7)

Paragraphs (1) to (6) do not apply where in the interests of navigational safety or safety of persons the Council proposes to give or amend a general direction—

(a)

in an emergency; or

(b)

relating to an intended activity or operation within the harbour, if—

(i)

the intended activity or operation is expected to commence within 16 weeks of the Council having been notified or otherwise becoming aware of the intended activity or operation,

(ii)

the intended activity or operation is to last less than 28 days, and

(iii)

the Council considers that the giving or amending of a general direction in relation to the intended activity or operation is required, taking into account other activities or operations in the harbour which may be affected.

(8)

Where the Council proceeds to give or amend a general direction in accordance with paragraph (7), it must—

(a)

as soon as is reasonably practicable give notice of the direction or amendment to those persons who would have been designated consultees had sub-paragraph (1)(a) applied; and

(b)

if the direction or amendment is intended to continue in force for more than 12 weeks, apply the procedure under sub-paragraphs (1)(c) to (f) and paragraphs (2) to (6) to the direction or amendment with the following modifications—

(i)

a reference to the ‘proposal’ in those paragraphs is to be read as a reference to the direction or amendment,

(ii)

in sub-paragraph (1)(c), for “sub-paragraphs (a) and (b)” substitute “sub-paragraph (8)(a)”, and

(iii)

a reference to ‘proceed with the proposal’ or ‘proceed to give’ is to be read as a reference to the Council determining that the direction or amendment should remain in force.