Harbours Act 1964

[F1 18 (1) [F2 If an objection to the application was made to the Secretary of State and has not been withdrawn, then unless the Secretary of State decides that the application shall not proceed further— E+W+S

(a) in the case of an objection regarding compulsory acquisition of a parcel of land, he shall either cause an inquiry to be held or allow the objector to appear before and be heard by a person appointed by the Secretary of State, and

(b) in the case of any other objection, he shall cause an inquiry to be held unless he considers the objection frivolous or too trivial to warrant the holding of an inquiry.]

[F2 This paragraph applies if an objection to the application was made to the Scottish Ministers and has not been withdrawn.

(1A) It does not apply, however, if—

(a) the Scottish Ministers decide that the application is not to proceed further;

(b) they consider the objection is frivolous or trivial;

(c) the objection does not specify the grounds on which it is made; or

(d) the objection was not made within the period allowed for making it.

(1B) Before making their decision under paragraph 19, the Scottish Ministers may—

(a) cause an inquiry to be held; or

(b) give to the person who made the objection referred to in sub-paragraph (1) an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by them.

(1C) Where—

(a) the objection referred to in sub-paragraph (1) is made by a person within sub-paragraph (1D); and

(b) the person informs the Scottish Ministers in writing that the person wishes the objection to be referred to an inquiry or dealt with in accordance with sub-paragraph (1B)(b),

the Scottish Ministers shall, before making their decision under paragraph 19, either cause an inquiry to be held or, if they so determine, cause the objection to be dealt with in accordance with sub-paragraph (1B)(b).

(1D) The persons within this sub-paragraph are—

(a) any council constituted under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39) for an area in which the harbour (or any part of it) is situated; and

[F3 (aa) the harbour authority;]

(b) if the order will authorise the compulsory acquisition of land, any person who is entitled to be served with notice under paragraph 11.]

(2) Where an objector is heard in accordance with [F4 sub-paragraph (1)(a)][F4 sub-paragraph (1B)(b)], the Secretary of State shall allow the applicant and such other persons as he thinks appropriate to be heard on the same occasion.

(3) The Secretary of State may disregard an objection—

(a) [F5 if it does not specify the grounds on which it is made, or]

(b) in the case of an objection about compulsory acquisition, if he is satisfied that the objection relates exclusively to matters which can be dealt with by the tribunal by whom compensation in respect of the acquisition will fall to be assessed in default of agreement.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 3 substituted (1.2.2000) by The Harbour Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/3445), reg. 15(4), Sch. 3

F2 Sch. 3 para. 18(1)-(1D) substituted (S.) for Sch. 3 para. 18(1) (10.10.2005) by Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 12), ss. 46(2), 54(2) (with s. 48); S.S.I. 2005/454, art. 2, sch. 2

F3 Sch. 3 para. 18(1D)(aa) inserted (S.) (28.12.2007) by Transport and Works (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 8), ss. 25(5)(h), 30(4); S.S.I. 2007/516, art. 2

F4 Words in Sch. 3 para. 18(2) substituted (S.) (10.10.2005) by Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 12), ss. 46(3), 54(2) (with s. 48); S.S.I. 2005/454, art. 2, sch. 2

F5 Sch. 3 para. 18(3)(a) repealed (S.) (10.10.2005) by Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 12), ss. 46(4), 54(2) (with s. 48); S.S.I. 2005/454, art. 2, sch. 2