Control of Pollution Act 1974

[F1 38 Restriction on variation and revocation of consent and of previous variation. S

(1) Each instrument signifying the consent of [F2 SEPA]] in pursuance of section 34 of this Act shall specify a period during which no notice in pursuance of subsection (1) or (2)(c) of the preceding section is to be served in respect of the consent without the written agreement of a person making a discharge in pursuance of the consent; and the said period shall be a reasonable period of not less than [F3 four] years beginning with the day on which the consent takes effect.

(2) Each notice served by [F2 SEPA] in pursuance of subsection (1) or (2)(c) of the preceding section (except a notice which only revokes a consent or conditions) shall specify a period during which a subsequent notice in pursuance of that subsection which alters the effect of the first-mentioned notice is not to be served without the written agreement of a person making a discharge in pursuance of the consent to which the first-mentioned notice relates; and the said period shall be a reasonable period of not less than [F3 four] years beginning with the day on which the first-mentioned notice is served.

(3) [F4 SEPA] shall be liable to pay compensation to any person in respect of any loss or damage sustained by that person as a result of the authority’s compliance with a direction given in relation to any consent by virtue of section 37(2)(b) of this Act if—

(a) in complying with that direction [F4 SEPA] does anything which, apart from that direction, it would be precluded from doing by a restriction imposed under subsection (1) or (2) above; and

(b) the direction is not shown to have been in consequence of—

(i) a change of circumstances which could not reasonably have been foreseen at the beginning of the period to which the restriction relates; or

(ii) consideration by the Secretary of State of material information which was not reasonably available to [SEPA] at the beginning of that period;

and in this paragraph information is material, in relation to a consent, if it relates to any discharge made or to be made by virtue of the consent, to the interaction of any such discharge with any other discharge or to the combined effect of the matter discharged and any other matter.

(4) A restriction imposed under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall not prevent the service by [SEPA] of a notice by virtue of section 37(1) or (2)(c) of this Act in respect of a consent given under section 34(3) of this Act if—

(a) the notice is served not more than three months after the beginning of the period specified in section 36(1)(c) of this Act for the making of representations with respect to the consent; and

(b) [F4 SEPA] or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State considers, in consequence of any representations received by it or him within that period, that it is appropriate for the notice to be served.

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 31, 32 and 34-42 repealed (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 189(4)-(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58, Sch. 27 Pt. I and for ss. 31-32 and ss. 34-42 there is substituted (S.) ss. 30A-32 and 34-42 by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 168, 189(4)--(10), 190, 193(1), 194(4), Sch. 23 para. 4, Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58

F2 Words in s. 38(1)(2) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 29(2) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F3 Word in s. 38(1) and (2) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 29(13) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F4 Words in s. 38(3)(4) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 29(10) (with ss. 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Ss. 37–40 extended by S.I. 1984/863, reg. 3, Sch. 1

C2 S. 38 extended (2.12.1991) by 1991/2539, reg. 3, Sch.

S. 38 amended (27.8.1993) by 1993 c. 12, ss. 40, 51(3), Sch. 3 Pt. II para. 16 (with ss. 42, 46)