Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988

Nature conservation

13 (1) The Authority may, for the purpose of conserving the natural beauty of any area—

(a) close to navigation any area at the edge of any waterway within the navigation area; or

(b) restrict navigation in any such area to specified classes of vessel.

(2) The Authority shall not exercise its powers under this paragraph so as to—

(a) close any part (other than the end) of a navigation channel;

(b) create a serious obstruction to navigation;

(c) prevent any riparian owner from having access to his land by water; or

(d) prevent access by water to any staithe whose use has not been discontinued.

(3) Where the Authority proposes to exercise its powers under this paragraph it shall, at least one month before the date on which it proposes to exercise them, publish notice of the proposal in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area concerned.

(4) Where the Authority exercises its powers as a matter of urgency, sub-paragraph (3) above shall not apply but the Authority shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, comply with the requirements of paragraph 14 below.

(5) The notice shall specify the purpose for which the powers are proposed to be exercised and the period (which may be expressed to be indefinite) during which the waterway concerned will be affected.

(6) The Authority shall cause a copy of the notice to be displayed conspicuously in at least one place adjacent to the waterway concerned and in a position which the Authority considers appropriate for bringing its contents to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the proposed exercise of the Authority’s powers.

(7) The Authority shall, not later than the date on which the notice is first published under this paragraph, send copies of it to the Anglian Water Authority and the Commissioners.

(8) The notice shall state that objections to the proposal may be made to the proper officer of the Authority within such period as may be specified in the notice.

(9) The period specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (8) above must not be less than twenty-eight days beginning with the day on which the notice is first published.

(10) If any objections are duly made in accordance with the provisions of the notice, and are not withdrawn, the Authority shall not implement its proposal until—

(a) a public local inquiry into the proposal has been held by an inspector appointed by the Authority; and

(b) the Authority has considered his report.

(11) Before appointing any such inspector, the Authority shall consult the Secretary of State.

(12) The provisions of subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (evidence at, and cost of, local inquiries) shall apply in relation to any inquiry held under this paragraph or paragraph 14 below as they apply in relation to a local inquiry which a Minister causes to be held under subsection (1) of that section.

14 (1) This paragraph applies where the Authority has exercised its powers under paragraph 13 above in circumstances in which it is not required to comply with sub-paragraph (3) of that paragraph.

(2) The Authority shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable—

(a) notify the Commissioners of the action which it has taken; and

(b) publish notice of it in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area concerned.

(3) The notice shall state that objections to the action taken by the Authority may be made to the proper officer of the Authority within such period as may be specified in the notice.

(4) The period specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (3) above must not be less than twenty-eight days beginning with the day on which the notice is first published.

(5) Sub-paragraph (2)(b) above does not apply if the action is likely to be discontinued before the Authority can reasonably be expected to have complied with that sub-paragraph.

(6) If any objections to the action taken by the Authority are duly made in accordance with the provisions of the notice, and are not withdrawn, the Authority shall—

(a) discontinue the action before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date on which it was first taken; or

(b) as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of that period, cause a public inquiry into the matter to be held by an inspector appointed by the Authority.

(7) Before appointing any such inspector, the Authority shall consult the Secretary of State.

(8) Where a public inquiry has been held under this paragraph the Authority shall, in determining whether or not to continue the action, consider the inspector’s report.

15 The Authority shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable after bringing to an end any closure or restriction under paragraph 13 or 14 above, take such steps as may be necessary to secure that the waterway concerned is returned to a condition no less suitable for navigation than existed before the closure or restriction.