The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

Denotification N.I.

31.—(1) Where the Department, after consultation with the Council, is satisfied that all or part of an ASSI is no longer of special scientific interest by reason of any of the matters mentioned in Article 28(1), it may decide to notify that fact to—

(a) each district council in whose district the land which the Department no longer considers to be of special scientific interest is wholly or partially situated; and

(b) every owner and occupier of any of that land.

(2) A notification under paragraph (1) shall specify the time (not being less than three months from the date of the giving of the notification) within which, and the manner in which, representations or objections with respect to it may be made.

(3) The Department shall also publish in at least two newspapers circulating in the area in which the land mentioned in paragraph (1) is situated notice—

(a) of the giving of the notification under paragraph (1); and

(b) of the places (at least one of which is in that area) at which a copy of the notification may be inspected at all reasonable hours.

(4) The Department shall—

(a) consider any representation or objection duly made within the time specified in the notification;

(b) within three months of that time either—

(i) confirm the notification (with or without modifications); or

(i) rescind the notification; and

(c) give notice of its decision to the persons mentioned in paragraph (1).

(5) A notification under paragraph (1) has effect in relation to any land as from the time a notice under paragraph (4)(b)(i) is served on its owner or occupier, and from that time a declaration under Article 28(1) in relation to that land shall cease to have effect.