Appeals relating to notices under paragraph 3
1033.Paragraph 4 provides for appeals to be made against a notice given under paragraph 3, which relates to works to be carried out in relation to the establishment and maintenance of the route in the absence of an agreement. Sub-paragraph (1) enables the person given that notice, or any other owner or occupier of the land to which the notice relates, to appeal to the Secretary of State.
1034.Sub-paragraph (2) sets out the grounds on which an appeal may be made. These are: that the notice requires the carrying out of works which are not necessary, that the works have already been carried out, or that the period specified in the notice after which Natural England or the access authority are to take steps to carry out the works is too short. Sub-paragraph (3)(a) allows the Secretary of State, where an appeal has been made, to confirm the notice (with or without modifications) and sub-paragraph (3)(b) allows him to cancel the notice.
1035.Sub-paragraph (4) provides for sections 7 and 8 of, and Schedule 3 to, the CROW Act to apply to an appeal made under this section. Those provisions, among other things, enable the Secretary of State to cause an appeal to take the form of a hearing and to delegate functions relating to appeals.
1036.Sub-paragraph (5) allows the Secretary of State to make regulations as to the period and manner in which appeals may be made, the advertising of such an appeal and the manner in which appeals are to be considered.
1037.Sub-paragraph (6) says that, where an appeal has been made, neither Natural England nor an access authority may exercise any of its functions relating to paragraph 3 until the appeal is determined by the Secretary of State or withdrawn.