Environmental Protection Act 1990

Valid from 16/03/2006

[F1 92A Litter clearing notices E+W

(1) A principal litter authority may in accordance with this section serve a notice (a “litter clearing notice”) in relation to any land in its area which is open to the air.

(2) Before serving a litter clearing notice in relation to any land a principal litter authority must be satisfied that the land is defaced by litter or refuse so as to be detrimental to the amenity of the locality.

(3) A litter clearing notice is to require the person on whom it is served—

(a) to clear the land of the litter or refuse; and

(b) if the principal litter authority is satisfied that the land is likely to become defaced by litter or refuse again, to take reasonable steps to prevent it from becoming so defaced.

(4) A litter clearing notice must be served on—

(a) the occupier of the land to which it relates; or

(b) if the land is not occupied, the owner.

(5) A litter clearing notice imposing a requirement under subsection (3)(a) above may specify—

(a) a period within which the requirement must be complied with;

(b) standards of compliance.

(6) A period specified under subsection (5)(a) above may not be less than 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice is served.

(7) A principal litter authority must, in discharging its functions under this section, have regard to any guidance given to the authority by the appropriate person.

(8) The form and content of a litter clearing notice is to be such as the appropriate person may by order specify.

(9) Where a principal litter authority proposes to serve a litter clearing notice in respect of any land but is unable after reasonable enquiry to ascertain the name or proper address of the occupier of the land (or, if the land is unoccupied, the owner)—

(a) the authority may post the notice on the land (and may enter any land to the extent reasonably necessary for that purpose), and

(b) the notice is to be treated as having been served upon the occupier (or, if the land is unoccupied, the owner) at the time the notice is posted.

(10) Subsection (1) above does not apply to an English county council for an area for which there is a district council.

(11) A litter clearing notice may not be served in relation to land of any of the following descriptions—

(a) a highway maintainable at the public expense;

(b) land under the direct control of a principal litter authority;

(c) Crown land;

(d) relevant land of a designated statutory undertaker;

(e) relevant land of a designated educational institution;

(f) land which is covered (but “open to the air” for the purposes of this Part by virtue of section 86(13) above) and to which the public are not entitled or permitted to have access, with or without payment.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 92A-92C inserted (E.W.) (16.3.2006 for certain purposes for W., 6.4.2006 for E. and 15.3.2007 in so far as not already in force for W.) by Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (c. 16), ss. 20(2), 108; S.I. 2006/768, art. 3; S.I. 2006/795, art. 2(3), Sch. 2; S.I. 2006/2797, art. 4(g)