Part II Nature Conservation, Countryside and National Parks

Nature conservation

F128D Denotification.

1

Where the Nature Conservancy Council are of the opinion that all or part of a site of special scientific interest is no longer of special interest by reason of any of the matters mentioned in section 28(1), they may decide to notify that fact.

2

If they do so decide, the persons whom they must notify are—

a

the local planning authority in whose area the land which the Council no longer consider to be of special interest is situated;

b

every owner and occupier of any of that land;

c

the Secretary of State;

d

the Environment Agency; and

e

every relevant undertaker (within the meaning of section 4(1) of the M1Water Industry Act 1991) and every internal drainage board (within the meaning of section 61C(1) of the M2Land Drainage Act 1991) whose works, operations or activities may affect the land.

3

The Council shall also publish a notification of that fact in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area in which the land referred to in subsection (2)(a) is situated.

4

Section 28(3) shall apply to a notification under subsection (2) or (3) as it applies to a notification under section 28(1).

5

Where a notification under subsection (2) has been given, the Council may within the period of nine months beginning with the date on which the notification was served on the Secretary of State either—

a

give notice to the persons mentioned in subsection (2) withdrawing the notification, or

b

give notice to those persons confirming the notification, or confirming it in relation to an area of land specified in the notice which is smaller than that specified in the notification under subsection (2),

but if they do neither the notification shall cease to have effect.

6

A notification under subsection (2) shall have effect in relation to any land as from the time a notice under subsection (5)(b) is served on its owner or occupier, and from that time a notification under section 28(1)(b) in relation to that land shall cease to have effect.

7

A local land charge existing by virtue of section 28(9) shall be discharged in relation to land which is the subject of a notice under subsection (5)(b).