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PART 4FELLING DIRECTIONS

Felling directions

11.—(1) A felling direction under section 34(2) of the Act must—

(a)be addressed to the owner of the land on which the trees to be felled are located, and

(b)contain the information specified in paragraph (2).

(2) The information is—

(a)a description of the area of land on which the trees to be felled are located,

(b)the date by which the felling must be completed, and

(c)a statement of the reasons why the felling is required, by reference to one or more of the following factors—

(i)preventing deterioration or further deterioration in the quality of timber comprised in the trees,

(ii)improving the growth of other trees, or

(iii)preventing or reducing harm caused by the presence of the trees.

(3) The Scottish Minsters may only impose conditions on a felling direction which relate to a matter mentioned in paragraph (4).

(4) The matters are —

(a)avoidance or mitigation of the impact on communities or individuals,

(b)avoidance or mitigation of the impact on the environment, biodiversity and species, and

(c)the retention of, or increase in, woodland cover.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may not give a felling direction in respect of trees situated in in the places referred to in regulation 4(b) of the Forestry (Exemptions) (Scotland) Regulations 2019.