16.—(1) An application for a felling licence may be made to the Department in the prescribed manner by any person who has such an estate in the land on which the trees are growing as enables that person, with or without the consent of any other person, to fell the trees.
(2) On an application under this section the Department may—
(a)grant the licence, subject to section 18; or
(b)refuse it.
(3) Where the Department refuses to grant a felling licence, it shall give notice in writing to the applicant of the grounds for the refusal.