Part II Pollution of water
Control of entry of polluting matter and effluents into water
F131B Nitrate sensitive areas.
(1)
Where the Secretary of State considers that it is appropriate to do so with a view to achieving the following purpose, that is to say, preventing or controlling the entry of nitrate into controlled waters as a result of, or of anything done in connection with, the use of any land for agricultural purposes, he may by order designate that land, together with any other land to which he considers it appropriate to apply the designation, as a nitrate sensitive area.
(2)
Where any area has been designated as a nitrate sensitive area by an order under this section and the Secretary of State considers that it is appropriate to do so with a view to achieving the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above, he may, subject to such restrictions (if any) as may be set out in the order, enter into an agreement under which, in consideration of payments to be made by him—
(a)
[F2the absolute owner (within the meaning of section 93 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1949)] of any agricultural land in that area; or
(b)
where any such owner has given his written consent to the agreement being entered into by any person having another interest in that land, that other person,
accepts such obligations with respect to the management of that land or otherwise as may be imposed by the agreement.
(3)
Where it appears to the Secretary of State in relation to any area which is, or is to be, designated by an order under this section as a nitrate sensitive area that it is appropriate for provision for the imposition of requirements, prohibitions or restrictions to be contained in an order under this section (as well as for him to be able to enter into such agreements as are mentioned in subsection (2) above), he may, by a subsequent order under this section or, as the case may be, by the order designating that area—
(a)
with a view to achieving the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above, require, prohibit or restrict the carrying on on or in relation to any agricultural land in that area of such activities as may be specified or described in the order; and
(b)
provide for such amounts (if any) as may be specified in or determined under the order to be paid by the Secretary of State, to such persons as may be so specified or determined, in respect of the obligations imposed in relation to that area on those persons by virtue of paragraph (a) above.
(4)
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3) above, provision contained in anorder under this section by virtue of that subsection may—
(a)
confer power upon the Secretary of State to determine for the purposes of the order the circumstances in which the carrying on of any activities is required, prohibited or restricted and to determine the activities to which any such requirement, prohibition or restriction applies;
(b)
provide for any requirement to carry on any activity not to apply in cases where the Secretary of State has consented to a failure to carry on that activity and any conditions on which the consent has been given are complied with;
(c)
apply a prohibition or restriction in respect of any activities to cases where the activities are carried on without the consent of the Secretary of State or in contravention of any conditions subject to which any such consent is given;
(d)
provide that a contravention of a requirement, prohibition or restriction contained in the order or in a condition of a consent given in relation to or for the purposes of any such requirement, prohibition or restriction shall be an offence the maximum penalties for which shall not exceed the maximum penalties specified in F3subsection (6) of section 30F above;
(e)
provide for amounts paid in pursuance of any provision contained in the order to be repaid at such times and in such circumstances and with such interest as may be specified in or determined under the order;
(f)
provide (subject to any regulations under subsection (6) below) for anything falling to be determined under the order by any person to be determined in accordance with such procedure and by reference to such matters and to the opinion of such persons as may be specified in the order.
(5)
The Secretary of State shall not make an order under this section except in accordance with any applicable provisions of Schedule 1A to this Act.
(6)
The Secretary of State may, for the purposes of any orders under this section which require his consent to the carrying on of any activities or to any failure to carry on any activity, by regulations make provision with respect to—
(a)
applications for any such consent;
(b)
the conditions of any such consent;
(c)
the revocation or variation of any such consent;
(d)
the reference to arbitration of disputes about determinations on any such application;
(e)
the imposition of charges where such an application has been made, such a consent has been given or there has been any act or omission in pursuance of any such consent; and
(f)
the registration of any such application or consent.