Water Resources Act 1991

52 Proposals for modification at instance of the [F1 appropriate agency] or Secretary of State. E+W

(1) Where it appears to the [F1 appropriate agency] that a licence under this Chapter should be revoked or varied, the [F1 appropriate agency] may formulate proposals for revoking or varying the licence.

[F2 (1A) In the case of a licence to obstruct or impede any inland waters, a variation may take the form of a requirement that the impounding works be modified in ways specified in the proposed new provision of the licence.]

(2) Where—

(a) it appears to the Secretary of State (either in consequence of representations made to the Secretary of State or otherwise) that a licence under this Chapter ought to be reviewed; but

(b) no proposals for revoking or varying the licence have been formulated by the [F1 appropriate agency] under subsection (1) above,

the Secretary of State may, as he may consider appropriate in the circumstances, give the [F1 appropriate agency] a direction under subsection (3) below.

(3) A direction under this subsection may—

(a) direct the [F1 appropriate agency] to formulate proposals for revoking the licence in question; or

(b) direct the [F1 appropriate agency] to formulate proposals for varying that licence in such manner as may be specified in the direction.

(4) Notice in the prescribed form of any proposals formulated under this section with respect to any licence shall—

(a) be served on the holder of the licence; and

[F3 (b) be published in the prescribed way or (if no way is prescribed) in a way calculated to bring it to the attention of persons likely to be affected if the licence were revoked or varied as proposed.]

(5) If—

(a) a licence with respect to which any proposals are formulated under this section relates to any inland waters; and

(b) the proposals provide for variation of that licence,

a copy of the notice for the purposes of subsection (4) above shall, not later than the date on which it is first published [F4 as mentioned in subsection (4)(b) above], be served on any navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority having functions in relation to those waters at a place where the licence, if varied in accordance with the proposals, would authorise water to be abstracted or impounded.

[F5 (6) A notice for the purposes of subsection (4) above shall—

(a) include any prescribed matters; and

(b) state that, before the end of a period specified in the notice—

(i) the holder of the licence may give notice in writing to the [F1 appropriate agency] objecting to the proposals; and

(ii) any other person may make representations in writing to the [F1 appropriate agency] with respect to the proposals.]

[F6 (7) The period referred to in subsection (6)(b) above—

(a) begins on the date the notice referred to in subsection (4) above is first published as mentioned there; and

(b) shall not end before the end of the period of twenty-eight days beginning with that date.]

F7 (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 52 and heading substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 270(i) (with Sch. 7)

F2 S. 52(1A) inserted (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 22(2), 105(3); S.I. 2006/984, art. 2(l)

F3 S. 52(4)(b) substituted (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 22(3), 105(3); S.I. 2006/984, art. 2(l)

F4 Words in s. 52(5) substituted (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 22(4), 105(3); S.I. 2006/984, art. 2(l)

F5 S. 52(6) substituted (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 22(5), 105(3); S.I. 2006/984, art. 2(l)

F6 S. 52(7) substituted (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 22(6), 105(3); S.I. 2006/984, art. 2(l)

F7 S. 52(8) repealed (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 22(7), 105(3), Sch. 9 Pt. 1; S.I. 2006/984, art. 2(l)(s)(ii)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 52 applied (with modifications) (1.4.2006) by Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/641), regs. 1(2), 19(1)

C2 S. 52(4)-(8) applied (with modifications) (1.3.2012) by The Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/164), regs. 1(1), 14, 15