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Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997

Type Public General Act

Publication 1997-02-27

Last updated 2026-02-18

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

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Reform history JSON API

(a) is the owner or occupier of the land or has any other interests in it, or

(b) is carrying out operations on the land or is using it for any purpose.

(2) A planning contravention notice may require the person on whom it is served to give such information as to—

(a) any operations being carried out on the land, any use of the land and any other activities being carried out on the land, and

(b) any matter relating to the conditions or limitations subject to which any planning permission in respect of the land has been granted,

as may be specified in the notice.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), the notice may require the person on whom it is served, so far as he is able—

(a) to state whether or not the land is being used for any purpose specified in the notice or any operations or activities specified in the notice are being or have been carried out on the land;

(b) to state when any use, operations or activities began;

(c) to give the name and postal address of any person known to him to use or have used the land for any purpose or to be carrying out, or have carried out, any operations or activities on the land;

(d) to give any information he holds as to any planning permission for any use or operations or any reason for planning permission not being required for any use or operation;

(e) to state the nature of his interest (if any) in the land and the name and postal address of any other person known to him to have an interest in the land.

(4) A planning contravention notice may give notice of a time and place at which—

(a) any offer which the person on whom the notice is served may wish to make to apply for planning permission, to refrain from carrying out any operations or activities or to undertake remedial works, and

(b) any representations which he may wish to make about the notice,

will be considered by the authority, and the authority shall give him an opportunity to make in person any such offer or representations at that time and place.

(5) A planning contravention notice must inform the person on whom it is served—

(a) of the likely consequences of his failing to respond to the notice and, in particular, that enforcement action may be taken, and

(b) of the effect of section 143(6).

(6) Any requirement of a planning contravention notice shall be complied with by giving information in writing to the planning authority.

(7) The service of a planning contravention notice does not affect any other power exercisable in respect of any breach of planning control.

(8) In this section references to operations or activities on land include operations or activities in, under or over the land.

Penalties for non-compliance with planning contravention notice.

126

(1) If at any time after the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which a planning contravention notice has been served on any person, he has not complied with any requirement of the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) An offence under subsection (1) may be charged by reference to any day or longer period of time and a person may be convicted of a second or subsequent offence under that subsection by reference to any period of time following the preceding conviction for such an offence.

(3) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply with the requirement.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(5) If any person—

(a) makes any statement purporting to comply with a requirement of a planning contravention notice which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, or

(b) recklessly makes such a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular,

he shall be guilty of an offence.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

Enforcement notices

Issue of enforcement notice.

127

(1) The planning authority may issue a notice (in this Act referred Act as an “enforcement notice”) where it appears to them—

(a) that there has been a breach of planning control, and

(b) that it is expedient to issue the notice, having regard to the provisions of the development plan and to any other material considerations.

(2) A copy of an enforcement notice shall be served—

(a) on the owner and on the occupier of the land to which it relates, and

(b) on any other person having an interest in the land, being an interest which, in the opinion of the authority, is materially affected by the notice.

(3) The service of the notice shall take place—

(a) not more than 28 days after its date of issue, and

(b) not less than 28 days before the date specified in it as the date on which it is to take effect.

Contents and effect of notice.

128

(1) An enforcement notice shall state—

(a) the matters which appear to the planning authority to constitute the breach of planning control, and

(b) the paragraph of section 123(1) within which, in the opinion of the authority, the breach falls.

(2) A notice complies with subsection (1)(a) if it enables any person on whom a copy of it is served to know what those matters are.

(3) An enforcement notice shall specify the steps which the authority require to be taken, or the activities which the authority require to cease, in order to achieve, wholly or partly, any of the following purposes.

(4) Those purposes are—

(a) remedying the breach by making any development comply with the terms (including conditions and limitations) of any planning permission which has been granted in respect of the land by discontinuing any use of the land or by restoring the land to its condition before the breach took place; or

(b) remedying any injury to amenity which has been caused by the breach.

(5) An enforcement notice may, for example, require—

(a) the alteration or removal of any buildings or works,

(b) the carrying out of any building or other operations,

(d) the contour of a deposit of refuse or waste materials on land to be modified by altering the gradient or gradients of its sides.

(6) An enforcement notice issued in respect of a breach of planning control consisting of demolition of a building may require the construction of a building (in this section referred to as a “replacement building”) which, subject to subsection (7), is as similar as possible to the demolished building.

(7) A replacement building—

(a) must comply with any requirement imposed by or under any enactment applicable to the construction of buildings,

(b) may differ from the demolished building in any respect which, if the demolished building had been altered in that respect, would not have constituted a breach of planning control, and

(c) must comply with any regulations made for the purposes of this subsection (including regulations modifying paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection).

(8) An enforcement notice shall specify the date on which it is to take effect and, subject to section 131(3), shall take effect on that date.

(9) An enforcement notice shall specify the period for compliance with the notice at the end of which any steps are required to have been taken or any activities are required to have ceased, and may specify different periods for different steps or activities.

(10) Where different periods apply to different steps or activities, references in this Part to the period for compliance with an enforcement notice, in relation to any step or activity, are to the period at the end of which the step is required to have been taken or the activity is required to have ceased.

(11) An enforcement notice shall specify such additional matters as may be prescribed.

(12) Regulations may require every copy of an enforcement notice served under section 127 to be accompanied by an explanatory note giving prescribed information as to the right of appeal under section 130.

(13) Where—

(a) an enforcement notice in respect of any breach of planning control could have required any buildings or works to be removed or any activity to cease, but does not do so, and

(b) all the requirements of the notice have been complied with,

then, so far as the notice did not so require, planning permission shall be treated as having been granted under section 33 in respect of development consisting of the construction of the buildings or works or, as the case may be, the carrying out of the activities.

(14) Where—

(a) an enforcement notice requires the construction of a replacement building, and

(b) all the requirements of the notice with respect to that construction have been complied with,

planning permission shall be treated as having been granted under section 33 in respect of development consisting of that construction.

Variation and withdrawal of enforcement notice.

129

(1) The planning authority may—

(a) withdraw an enforcement notice issued by them, or

(b) waive or relax any requirement of such a notice and, in particular, may extend any period specified in accordance with section 128(9).

(2) The powers conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised whether or not the notice has taken effect.

(3) The planning authority shall, immediately after exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1), give notice of the exercise to every person who has been served with a copy of the enforcement notice or would, if the notice were reissued, be served with a copy of it.

(4) The withdrawal of an enforcement notice does not affect the power of the planning authority to issue a further enforcement notice.

Appeal against enforcement notice.

130

(1) A person on whom an enforcement notice is served or any other person having an interest in the land may, at any time before the date specified in the notice as the date on which it is to take effect, appeal to the Secretary of State against the notice on any of the following grounds—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) that the matters which, by virtue of section 128(1)(a) have been stated in the notice, have not occurred;

(d) that, at the date when the notice was issued, no enforcement action could be taken in respect of any breach of planning control which may be constituted by those matters;

(e) that copies of the enforcement notice were not served as required by section 127;

(f) that the steps required by the notice to be taken, or the activities required by the notice to cease, exceed what is necessary to remedy any breach of planning control which may be constituted by those matters or, as the case may be, to remedy any injury to amenity which has been caused by any such breach;

(g) that any period specified in the notice in accordance with section 128(9) falls short of what should reasonably be allowed.

(2) An appeal under this section shall be made ...—

(a) by giving written notice of the appeal to the Secretary of State before the date specified in the enforcement notice as the date on which it is to take effect, or

(b) by sending such notice to him in a properly addressed and prepaid letter posted to him at such time that, in the ordinary course of post, it would be delivered to him before that date; or

(c) by sending such notice to them using electronic communications at such time that, in the ordinary course of transmission, it would be delivered to them before that date.

(3) A person who gives notice under subsection (2) shall submit to the Secretary of State, either when giving the notice or within the prescribed time, a statement in writing—

(a) specifying the grounds on which he is appealing against the enforcement notice, and

(b) giving such further information as may be prescribed; or

Appeals: supplementary provisions.

131

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe the procedure which is to be followed on appeals under section 130 and, in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions of this subsection, in so prescribing may—

(a) specify the matters on which information is to be given in a statement under section 130(3);

(b) require the planning authority to submit, within such time as may be specified, a statement indicating the submissions which they propose to put forward on the appeal;

(d) require the authority or the appellant to give such notice of an appeal as may be specified to such persons as may be specified;

(e) require the authority to send to the Secretary of State, within such period from the date of the bringing of the appeal as may be specified, a copy of the enforcement notice and a list of the persons served with copies of it.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Where an appeal is brought under section 130 the enforcement notice shall be of no effect pending the final determination or the withdrawal of the appeal.

(4) Schedule 4 applies to appeals under section 130, including appeals under that section as applied by regulations under any other provisions of this Act.

General provisions relating to determination of appeals.

132

(1) On the determination of an appeal under section 130, the Secretary of State shall give directions for giving effect to the determination, including, where appropriate, directions for quashing the enforcement notice.

(2) On such an appeal the Secretary of State may—

(a) correct any defect, error or misdescription in the enforcement notice, or

(b) vary the terms of the enforcement notice,

if he is satisfied that the correction or variation will not cause injustice to the appellant or the planning authority.

(3) The Secretary of State may—

(a) dismiss an appeal if the appellant fails to comply with section 130(3) within the prescribed time, and

(b) allow an appeal and quash the enforcement notice if the planning authority fail to comply with any requirement imposed by virtue of paragraph (b), (c) or (e) of section 131(1).

(4) Where it would otherwise be a ground for determining an appeal in favour of the appellant that a person required by section 127(2) to be served with a copy of the enforcement notice was not served, the Secretary of State may disregard that fact if neither the appellant nor that person has been substantially prejudiced by the failure to serve him.

Grant or modification of planning permission on appeal against enforcement notice.

133

(1) On the determination of an appeal under section 130, the Secretary of State may—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) determine whether on the date on which the appeal was made, any existing use of the land was lawful, any operations which had been carried out in, on, over or under the land were lawful or any matter constituting a failure to comply with any condition or limitation subject to which the permission was granted was lawful and, if so, issue a certificate under section 150.

(2) The provisions of sections 150 to 153 mentioned in subsection (3) shall apply for the purposes of subsection (1)(d) as they apply for the purposes of section 150, but as if—

(a) any reference to an application for a certificate were a reference to the appeal and any reference to the date of such an application were a reference to the date on which the appeal is made, and

(b) references to the planning authority were references to the Secretary of State.

(3) Those provisions are sections 150(5) to (7), 152(4) (so far as it relates to the form of the certificate), (6) and (7) and 153.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Validity of enforcement notices.

134

The validity of an enforcement notice shall not be questioned in any proceedings whatsoever on any of the grounds specified in section 130(1)(b) to (e) except by appeal under that section.

Execution and cost of works required by enforcement notice.

135

(1) If any steps which are required by an enforcement notice to be taken have not been taken within the compliance period, the planning authority may—

(a) enter the land and take those steps, and

(b) recover from the person who is then the owner or lessee of the land any expenses reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

(2) If that person did not appeal to the Secretary of State although entitled to do so, he shall not be entitled to dispute the validity of the action taken by the planning authority under subsection (1) in accordance with the enforcement notice.

(3) In computing the amount of the expenses which may be recovered by them under subsection (1), a planning authority may include in that amount such proportion of their administrative expenses as seems to them to be appropriate.

(4) Where a copy of an enforcement notice has been served in respect of any breach of planning control—

(a) any expenses incurred by the owner, lessee or occupier of any land for the purpose of complying with the notice, and

(b) any sums paid by the owner or lessee of any land under subsection (1) in respect of expenses incurred by the planning authority in taking steps required by such a notice to be taken,

shall be recoverable from the person by whom the breach of planning control was committed.

(5) If on a complaint by the owner of any land it appears to the sheriff that the occupier of the land is preventing the owner from carrying out work required to be carried out by an enforcement notice, the sheriff may by warrant authorise the owner to go on to the land and carry out that work.

(6) A planning authority taking steps under subsection (1) may sell any materials removed by them from the land unless those materials are claimed by the owner within 3 days of their removal.

(7) After any such sale the planning authority shall pay the proceeds to the owner less the expenses recoverable by them from him.

(8) Where a planning authority seek, under subsection (1), to recover any expenses from a person on the basis that he is the owner of any land, and such person proves that—

(a) he is receiving the rent in respect of that land merely as trustee, tutor, curator, factor or agent of some other person, and

(b) he has not, and since the date of the service on him of the demand for payment has not had, in his hands on behalf of that other person sufficient money to discharge the whole demand of the authority,

his liability shall be limited to the total amount of the money which he has or has had in his hands on behalf of that other person.

(9) A planning authority who by reason of subsection (8) have not recovered the whole of any such expenses from a trustee, tutor, curator, factor or agent may recover any unpaid balance from the person on whose behalf the rent is received.

(10) Any person who wilfully obstructs a person acting in the exercise of powers under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(11) In this section and in sections 136,136A, 140 and 141 any reference to the compliance period, in relation to an enforcement notice, is a reference to the period specified in the notice for compliance with it or such extended period as the planning authority may allow for compliance with it.

Offence where enforcement notice not complied with.

136

(1) Where, at any time after the end of the compliance period in respect of an enforcement notice, any step required by the notice to be taken has not been taken or any activity required by the notice to cease is being carried on, the person who is then the owner of the land is in breach of the notice.

(2) Where the owner of the land is in breach of the notice he shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) In proceedings against any person for an offence under subsection (2), it shall be a defence for him to show that he did everything he could be expected to do to secure compliance with the notice.

(4) A person who has control of or an interest in the land to which an enforcement notice relates (other than the owner) must not carry on any activity which is required by the notice to cease or cause or permit such an activity to be carried on.

(5) A person who, at any time after the end of the period for compliance with the notice, contravenes subsection (4) shall be guilty of an offence.

(6) An offence under subsection (2) or (5) may be charged by reference to any day or longer period of time and a person may be convicted of a second or subsequent offence under the subsection in question by reference to any period of time following the preceding conviction for such an offence.

(7) Where—

(a) a person charged with an offence under this section has not been served with a copy of the enforcement notice, and

(b) the notice is not contained in the appropriate register kept under section 147,

it shall be a defence for him to show that he was not aware of the existence of the notice.

(8) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £50,000, and

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(9) In determining the amount of any fine to be imposed on a person convicted of an offence under this section, the court shall in particular have regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to him in consequence of the offence.

Fixed penalty notice where enforcement notice not complied with

136A

(1) Where a planning authority have reason to believe that, by virtue of subsection (1) of section 136, a person is in breach of an enforcement notice they may, provided that the conditions mentioned in subsection (7) are satisfied, serve on him a fixed penalty notice as respects that breach.

(2) The fixed penalty notice is to specify—

(a) the step specified, under subsection (3) of section 128, in the enforcement notice which has not been taken, or

(b) the activity so specified which has not ceased.

(3) It is not competent to serve more than one fixed penalty notice in relation to a particular step or activity.

(4) For the purposes of this section, a “fixed penalty notice” is a notice offering the person the opportunity of discharging, by paying to the planning authority, within the period of 30 days which immediately follows the day on which that notice is served, a penalty of an amount (being a prescribed amount) specified in the notice, any liability to conviction for an offence under section 136 as respects the breach of the enforcement notice.

(5) But if payment is made within the first 15 days of the period mentioned in subsection (4) the amount payable is reduced by 25%.

(6) The fixed penalty notice is to identify the period mentioned in subsection (4) and is also to state that if payment is made within the first 15 days of that period the amount payable is reduced by 25%.

(7) The conditions are that the fixed penalty notice—

(a) is served within the period of 6 months which immediately follows the compliance period in relation to the enforcement notice, and

(b) is not served after the person has been charged with an offence under section 136 as respects the breach of the enforcement notice.

(8) During the period mentioned in subsection (4) it is not competent to commence proceedings against the person for an offence under section 136 as respects that breach.

(9) If the amount (or as the case may be the reduced amount) is timeously paid it is not competent to commence proceedings against the person for an offence under section 136 as respects that breach.

(10) A penalty received by a planning authority by virtue of subsection (4) is to accrue to that authority.

(11) In prescribing an amount for the purposes of subsection (4), the Scottish Ministers may make different provision for different cases or for different classes of case.

Effect of planning permission etc. on enforcement or breach of condition notice.

137

(1) Where, after the service of—

(a) a copy of an enforcement notice, or

(b) a breach of condition notice,

planning permission is granted for any development carried out before the grant of that permission, the notice shall cease to have effect so far as inconsistent with that permission.

(2) Where, after a breach of condition notice has been served, any condition to which the notice relates is discharged, the notice shall cease to have effect so far as it requires any person to secure compliance with the condition in question.

(3) The fact that an enforcement notice or breach of condition notice has wholly or partly ceased to have effect by virtue of this section shall not affect the liability of any person for an offence in respect of a previous failure to comply, or secure compliance, with the notice.

Enforcement notice to have effect against subsequent development.

138

(1) Compliance with an enforcement notice, whether in respect of—

(a) the removal or alteration of any building or works,

(b) the discontinuance of any use of land, or

shall not discharge the notice.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), any provision of an enforcement notice requiring a use of land to be discontinued shall operate as a requirement that it shall be discontinued permanently, to the extent that it is in contravention of Part III; and accordingly the resumption of that use at any time after it has been discontinued in compliance with the enforcement notice shall to that extent be in contravention of the enforcement notice.

(3) Without prejudice to subsection (1), if any development is carried out on land by way of reinstating or restoring buildings or works which have been removed or altered in compliance with an enforcement notice, the notice shall, notwithstanding that its terms are not apt for the purpose, be deemed to apply in relation to the buildings or works as reinstated or restored as it applied in relation to the buildings or works before they were removed or altered.

(4) A person who, without the grant of planning permission in that behalf, carries out any development on land by way of reinstating or restoring buildings or works which have been removed or altered in compliance with an enforcement notice shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.

(5) In determining the amount of the fine to be imposed under subsection (4), the court is in particular to have regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to the convicted person in consequence of the activity which constituted the offence.

Power of Secretary of State to serve enforcement notice.

139

(1) If it appears to the Secretary of State that it is expedient that an enforcement notice should be served in respect of any land, he may himself serve such a notice under section 127.

(2) An enforcement notice served by the Secretary of State shall have the same effect as if it had been served by the planning authority.

(3) The Secretary of State shall not serve such a notice without consulting the planning authority.

(4) The provisions of this Act relating to enforcement notices apply, so far as relevant, to an enforcement notice served by the Secretary of State as they apply to an enforcement notice served by a planning authority, but with the substitution for any reference to the planning authority of a reference to the Secretary of State, and any other necessary modifications.

Stop notices

Stop notices.

140

(1) Where the planning authority consider it expedient that any relevant activity should cease before the expiry of the compliance period in respect of an enforcement notice, they may, when they serve the copy of the enforcement notice or afterwards, serve a notice (in this Act referred to as a “stop notice”) prohibiting the carrying out of that activity on the land to which the enforcement notice relates, or any part of that land specified in the stop notice.

(2) In this section, “relevant activity” means any activity specified in the enforcement notice as an activity which the planning authority require to cease and any activity carried out as part of that activity or associated with that activity.

(3) A stop notice may not be served where the enforcement notice has taken effect.

(4) A stop notice shall not prohibit the use of any building as a dwellinghouse.

(5) A stop notice shall not prohibit the carrying out of any activity if the activity has been carried out (whether continuously or not) for a period of more than 4 years ending with the service of the notice; and for the purposes of this subsection no account is to be taken of any period during which the activity was authorised by planning permission.

(6) Subsection (5) does not prevent a stop notice prohibiting any activity consisting of, or incidental to, building, engineering, mining or other operations or the deposit of refuse or waste materials.

(7) A stop notice shall specify the date when it is to come into effect, and that date—

(a) must not be earlier than 3 days after the date when the notice is served, unless the planning authority consider that there are special reasons for specifying an earlier date and a statement of those reasons is served with the stop notice, and

(b) must not be later than 28 days from the date when the notice is first served on any person.

(8) A stop notice may be served by the planning authority on any person who appears to them to have an interest in the land or to be engaged in the relevant activity specified in the enforcement notice.

(9) The planning authority may at any time withdraw a stop notice (without prejudice to their power to serve another) by notice which shall be—

(a) served on all persons who were served with the stop notice, and

(b) publicised by displaying it for 7 days in place of all or any relative site notices.

Stop notices: supplementary provisions.

141

(1) A stop notice shall cease to have effect when—

(a) the enforcement notice to which it relates is withdrawn or quashed,

(b) the compliance period specified under section 128(9) expires, or

whichever occurs first.

(2) Where the enforcement notice to which a stop notice relates is varied so that it no longer relates to any relevant activity, the stop notice shall cease to have effect in relation to that activity.

(3) Where a stop notice has been served in respect of any land, the planning authority may publicise it by displaying on the land a notice (in this section and section 144 referred to as a “site notice”)—

(a) stating that a stop notice has been served on a particular person or persons,

(b) indicating its requirements, and

(4) A stop notice shall not be invalid by reason that a copy of the enforcement notice to which it relates was not served as required by section 127 if it is shown that the planning authority took all such steps as were reasonably practicable to effect proper service.

Power of the Secretary of State to serve stop notice.

142

(1) If it appears to the Secretary of State that it is expedient that a stop notice should be served in respect of any land, he may himself serve such a notice under section 140.

(2) A stop notice served by the Secretary of State shall have the same effect as if it had been served by the planning authority.

(3) The Secretary of State shall not serve such a notice without consulting the planning authority.

(4) The provisions of this Act relating to stop notices apply, so far as relevant, to a stop notice served by the Secretary of State as they apply to a stop notice served by a planning authority, but with the substitution for any reference to the planning authority of a reference to the Secretary of State, and any other necessary modifications.

Compensation for loss due to stop notice.

143

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, where a stop notice under section 140 ceases to have effect a person who, when the stop notice is first served, has an interest, whether as owner or occupier or otherwise, in the land to which the notice relates shall be entitled to be compensated by the planning authority in respect of any loss or damage directly attributable to the prohibition contained in the notice or, in a case within subsection (1)(b), the prohibition of such of the activities prohibited by the stop notice as cease to be relevant activities.

(2) For the purposes of this section a stop notice ceases to have effect when—

(a) the enforcement notice is quashed ...,

(b) the enforcement notice is varied ... so that any activity the carrying out of which is prohibited by the stop notice ceases to be a relevant activity within the meaning of section 140(2),

(c) the enforcement notice is withdrawn by the planning authority otherwise than in consequence of the grant by them of planning permission for the development to which the notice relates, or

(d) the stop notice is withdrawn.

(3) A claim for compensation under this section shall be made to the planning authority within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner.

(4) The loss or damage in respect of which compensation is payable under this section in respect of a prohibition shall include any sum payable in respect of a breach of contract caused by the taking of action necessary to comply with the prohibition.

(5) No compensation is payable under this section—

(a) in respect of the prohibition in a stop notice of any activity which, at any time when the notice is in force, constitutes or contributes to a breach of planning control, or

(b) in the case of a claimant who was required to provide information under section 125, 126 or 272 in respect of any loss or damage suffered by him which could have been avoided if he had provided the information or had otherwise co-operated with the planning authority when responding to the notice.

(6) Except in so far as may be otherwise provided by any regulations made under this Act, any question of disputed compensation under this Part shall be referred to and determined by the Lands Tribunal.

(7) In relation to the determination of any such question, the provisions of sections 9 and 11 of the Land Compensation (Scotland) Act 1963 shall apply subject to any necessary modifications and to the provisions of any regulations made under this Act.

Penalties for contravention of stop notice.

144

(1) If any person contravenes a stop notice after a site notice has been displayed or the stop notice has been served on him he shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) An offence under this section may be charged by reference to any day or longer period of time and a person may be convicted of a second or subsequent offence under this section by reference to any period of time following the preceding conviction for such an offence.

(3) It shall be a defence in any proceedings under subsection (1) that—

(a) the stop notice was not served on the accused, and

(b) he had no reasonable cause to believe that the activity was prohibited by the stop notice.

(4) References in this section to contravening a stop notice include causing or permitting its contravention.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £50,000, and

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(6) In determining the amount of any fine to be imposed on a person convicted of an offence under this section, the court shall in particular have regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to him in consequence of the offence.

Temporary stop notices

144A

(1) If a planning authority consider that—

(a) there has been a breach of planning control in relation to any land,

(b) the breach consists in engagement in an activity, and

they may issue a temporary stop notice.

(2) The notice must be in writing and must—

(a) specify the activity in question,

(b) prohibit engagement in the activity (or in so much of the activity as is specified in the notice), and

(3) A temporary stop notice may be served on any of the following—

(a) a person who appears to the authority to be engaged in the activity,

(b) a person who appears to the authority to have an interest in the land (whether as owner or occupier or otherwise).

(4) The authority must display on the land—

(a) a copy of the notice, and

(b) a statement as to the effect of section 144C.

(5) A temporary stop notice has effect from the time a copy of it is first displayed in pursuance of subsection (4).

(6) A temporary stop notice ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 28 days starting on the day the copy notice is so displayed.

(7) Except that if a shorter period starting on that day is specified in the notice, the notice instead ceases to have effect at the end of that shorter period.

(8) And if the notice is withdrawn by the authority before that period of 28 days, or as the case may be that shorter period, expires the notice ceases to have effect on being so withdrawn.

Temporary stop notices: restrictions

144B

(1) A temporary stop notice does not prohibit—

(a) the use of a building as a dwellinghouse, or

(b) engagement in an activity (either or both)—

(i) of such description,

(ii) in such circumstances,

as may be prescribed.

(2) A temporary stop notice does not prohibit engagement in any activity which has been engaged in (whether continuously or not) for a period of more than 4 years ending with the day on which a copy of the notice is first displayed in pursuance of section 144A(4).

(3) But subsection (2) does not prevent a temporary stop notice prohibiting—

(a) activity consisting in, or incidental to, building, engineering, mining or other operations, or

(b) the deposit of refuse or waste materials.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (2), any period during which the activity in question is authorised by planning permission is to be ignored.

(5) A second or subsequent temporary stop notice must not be issued in respect of the same activity unless the planning authority have in the meantime taken some other enforcement action in relation to the breach of planning control which is constituted by the activity.

(6) In subsection (5), “enforcement action” includes obtaining the grant of an interdict under section 146(2).

Temporary stop notices: offences

144C

(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he contravenes a temporary stop notice—

(a) which has been served on him, or

(b) a copy of which has been displayed in pursuance of section 144A(4).

(2) Contravention of a temporary stop notice includes causing or permitting the contravention of it.

(3) An offence under this section may be charged by reference to a day or to a period longer than a day.

(4) A person may, in relation to the same temporary stop notice, be convicted of more than one offence under this section by reference to different days or different periods.

(5) It is a defence in any proceedings under this section that—

(a) the temporary stop notice was not served on the accused, and

(b) he did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, of its existence.

(6) A person convicted of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £50,000,

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(7) In determining the amount of the fine, the court is in particular to have regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to the convicted person in consequence of the activity which constituted the offence.

Temporary stop notices: compensation

144D

(1) A person who, as at the date on which a temporary stop notice is first displayed in pursuance of section 144A(4), has an interest (whether as owner or occupier or otherwise) in the land to which the notice relates is entitled to be compensated by the planning authority in respect of any loss or damage directly attributable to the prohibition effected by that notice.

(2) But subsection (1) applies only if the circumstances are as set out in at least one of the following paragraphs—

(a) the activity which is specified in the notice is authorised by planning permission granted on or before the date mentioned in that subsection,

(b) a certificate in respect of the activity is issued under section 150 or granted under that section by virtue of section 154,

(c) the authority withdraws the notice other than following such grant of planning permission as is mentioned in paragraph (a).

(3) Subsections (3) to (7) of section 143 apply to compensation payable under this section as they apply to compensation payable under that section; and for the purpose of that application references in those subsections to a stop notice are to be taken to be references to a temporary stop notice.

Breach of condition notices

Enforcement of conditions.

145

(1) This section applies where planning permission for carrying out any development has been granted subject to conditions.

(2) The planning authority may, if any of the conditions is not complied with, serve a notice (in this Act referred to as a “breach of condition notice”) on—

(a) any person who is carrying out or has carried out the development, or

(b) any person having control of the land,

requiring him to secure compliance with such of the conditions as are specified in the notice.

(3) References in this section to the person responsible are to the person on whom the breach of condition notice has been served.

(4) The conditions which may be specified in a notice served by virtue of subsection (2)(b) are any of the conditions regulating the use of the land.

(5) A breach of condition notice shall specify the steps which the authority consider ought to be taken, or the activities which the authority consider ought to cease, to secure compliance with the conditions specified in the notice.

(6) The authority may by notice served on the person responsible withdraw the breach of condition notice, but its withdrawal shall not affect the power to serve on him a further breach of condition notice in respect of the conditions specified in the earlier notice or any other conditions.

(7) The period allowed for compliance with the notice is—

(a) such period of not less than 28 days beginning with the date of service of the notice as may be specified in the notice, or

(b) that period as extended by a further notice served by the planning authority on the person responsible.

(8) If, at any time after the end of the period allowed for compliance with the notice—

(a) any of the conditions specified in the notice is not complied with, and

(b) the steps specified in the notice have not been taken or, as the case may be, the activities specified in the notice have not ceased,

the person responsible is in breach of the notice.

(9) If the person responsible is in breach of the notice he shall be guilty of an offence.

(10) An offence under subsection (9) may be charged by reference to any day or longer period of time and a person may be convicted of a second or subsequent offence under that subsection by reference to any period of time following the preceding conviction for such an offence.

(11) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (9) to prove—

(a) that he took all reasonable measures to secure compliance with the conditions specified in the notice, or

(b) where the notice was served on him by virtue of subsection (2)(b), that he no longer had control of the land.

(12) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (9) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(12A) In determining the amount of the fine to be imposed under subsection (12), the court is in particular to have regard to any financial benefit which has accrued or appears likely to accrue to the convicted person in consequence of the activity which constituted the offence.

(13) In this section—

(a) “conditions” includes limitations; and

(b) references to carrying out any development include causing or permitting another to do so.

Fixed penalty notice where breach of condition notice not complied with

145A

(1) Where a planning authority have reason to believe that, by virtue of subsection (8) of section 145, a person is in breach of a breach of condition notice they may, provided that the conditions mentioned in subsection (7) are satisfied, serve on him a fixed penalty notice as respects that breach.

(2) The fixed penalty notice is to specify—

(a) the step specified, under subsection (5) of section 145, in the breach of condition notice which has not been taken, or

(b) the activity so specified which has not ceased.

(3) It is not competent to serve more than one fixed penalty notice in relation to a particular step or activity.

(4) For the purposes of this section, a “fixed penalty notice” is a notice offering the person the opportunity of discharging, by paying to the planning authority, within the period of 30 days which immediately follows the day on which that notice is served, a penalty of an amount (being a prescribed amount) specified in that notice, any liability to conviction for an offence under section 145(9) as respects the breach of the breach of condition notice.

(5) But if payment is made within the first 15 days of the period mentioned in subsection (4) the amount payable is reduced by 25%.

(6) The fixed penalty notice is to identify the period mentioned in subsection (4) and is also to state that if payment is made within the first 15 days of that period the amount payable is reduced by 25%.

(7) The conditions are that the fixed penalty notice—

(a) is served within the period of 6 months which immediately follows the period allowed by section 145(7) for compliance with the breach of condition notice, and

(b) is not served after the person has been charged with an offence under section 145(9) as respects the breach of the breach of condition notice.

(8) During the period mentioned in subsection (4) it is not competent to commence proceedings against the person for an offence under section 145(9) as respects that breach.

(9) If the amount (or as the case may be the reduced amount) is timeously paid it is not competent to commence proceedings against the person for an offence under section 145(9) as respects that breach.

(10) A penalty received by a planning authority by virtue of subsection (4) is to accrue to that authority.

(11) In prescribing an amount for the purposes of subsection (4), the Scottish Ministers may make different provision for different cases or for different classes of case.

Interdicts

Interdicts restraining breaches of planning control.

146

(1) Whether or not they have exercised or propose to exercise any of their other powers under this Act, a planning authority may seek to restrain or prevent any actual or apprehended breach of any of the controls provided for by or under this Act by means of an application for interdict.

(2) On an application under subsection (1) the court may grant such interdict as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of restraining or preventing the breach.

(3) In this section “the court” means the Court of Session or the sheriff.

Registers

Enforcement etc. : register of notices

147

(1) Every planning authority shall, with respect to enforcement notices, breach of condition notices , notices under section 33A, stop notices and temporary stop notices which have been served in relation to land in their district, keep a register—

(a) in such manner, and

(b) containing such information,

as may be prescribed; and there may also be prescribed circumstances in which an entry in the register shall be deleted.

(2) Every register kept under this section shall be available for inspection by the public at all reasonable hours.

Enforcement of orders for discontinuance of use, etc.

Penalties for contravention of orders under section 71 and Schedule 8.

148

(1) Any person who without planning permission—

(a) uses land, or causes or permits land to be used—

(i) for any purpose for which an order under section 71 or paragraph 1 of Schedule 8 has required that its use shall be discontinued, or

(ii) in contravention of any condition imposed by such an order by virtue of subsection (1) of that section or, as the case may be, sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph,

(b) resumes, or causes or permits to be resumed, development consisting of the winning and working of minerals or involving the depositing of mineral waste the resumption of which an order under paragraph 3 of that Schedule has prohibited, or

(c) contravenes, or causes or permits to be contravened, any such requirement as is specified in sub-paragraph (3) or (4) of that paragraph,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) Any person who contravenes any requirement of a suspension order or a supplementary suspension order under paragraph 5 or 6 of Schedule 8 or who causes or permits any requirement of such an order to be contravened shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) Any person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, and

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(4) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he took all reasonable measures and exercised all due diligence to avoid commission of the offence by himself or by any person under his control.

(5) If in any case the defence provided by subsection (4) involves an allegation that the commission of the offence was due to the act or default of another person or due to reliance on information supplied by another person, the person charged shall not, without the leave of the court, be entitled to rely on the defence unless, within a period ending 7 clear days before the hearing, he has served on the prosecutor a notice in writing giving such information identifying or assisting in the identification of the other person as was then in his possession.

Enforcement of orders under section 71 and Schedule 8.

149

(1) This section applies where—

(a) any step required by an order under section 71 or paragraph 1 of Schedule 8 to be taken for the alteration or removal of any buildings or works or any plant or machinery,

(b) any step required by an order under paragraph 3 of that Schedule to be taken—

(i) for the alteration or removal of plant or machinery, or

(ii) for the removal or alleviation of any injury to amenity, or

(c) any step for the protection of the environment required to be taken by a suspension order or a supplementary suspension order under paragraph 5 or 6 of that Schedule,

has not been taken within the period specified in the order or within such extended period as the planning authority may allow.

(2) Where this section applies the planning authority may enter the land and take the required step and may recover from the person who is then the owner of the land any expenses reasonably incurred by them in doing so.

(3) A planning authority taking any step under subsection (1) may sell any materials removed by them from any land unless those materials are claimed by the owner within 3 days of their removal by the planning authority.

(4) Where such materials have been sold the planning authority shall pay the owner the net proceeds of the sale after deducting any expenses recoverable by them from him.

Certificate of lawful use or development

Certificate of lawfulness of existing use or development.

150

(1) If any person wishes to ascertain whether—

(a) any existing use of buildings or other land is lawful,

(b) any operations which have been carried out in, on, over or under land are lawful, or

(c) any other matter constituting a failure to comply with any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission has been granted is lawful,

he may make an application for the purpose to the planning authority specifying the land and describing the use, operations or other matter.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, uses and operations are lawful at any time if—

(a) no enforcement action may then be taken in respect of them (whether because they did not involve development or require planning permission or because the time for enforcement action has expired or for any other reason), and

(b) they do not constitute a contravention of any of the requirements of any enforcement notice then in force.

(3) For the purposes of this Act, any matter constituting a failure to comply with any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission has been granted is lawful at any time if—

(a) the time for taking enforcement action in respect of the failure has then expired, and

(b) it does not constitute a contravention of any of the requirements of any enforcement notice or breach of condition notice then in force.

(4) If, on an application under this section, the planning authority are provided with information satisfying them of the lawfulness at the time of the application of the use, operations or other matter described in the application, or that description as modified by the planning authority or a description substituted by them, they shall issue a certificate to that effect; and in any other case they shall refuse the application.

(5) A certificate under this section shall—

(a) specify the land to which it relates,

(b) describe the use, operations or other matter in question (in the case of any use falling within one of the classes specified in an order under section 26(2)(f), identifying it by reference to that class),

(d) specify the date of the application for the certificate.

(6) The lawfulness of any use, operations or other matter for which a certificate is in force under this section shall be conclusively presumed.

(7) A certificate under this section in respect of any use shall also have effect, for the purposes of the following enactments, as if it were a grant of planning permission—

(a) section 3(3) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960,

(b) section 5(2) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and

Certificate of lawfulness of proposed use or development.

151

(1) If any person wishes to ascertain whether—

(a) any proposed use of buildings or other land, or

(b) any operations proposed to be carried out in, on, over or under land,

would be lawful, he may make an application for the purpose to the planning authority specifying the land and describing the use or operations in question.

(2) If, on an application under this section, the planning authority are provided with information satisfying them that the use or operations described in the application would be lawful if instituted or begun at the time of the application they shall issue a certificate to that effect; and in any other case they shall refuse the application.

(3) A certificate under this section shall—

(a) specify the land to which it relates,

(b) describe the use or operations in question (in the case of any use falling within one of the classes specified in an order under section 26(2)(f), identifying it by reference to that class),

(d) specify the date of the application for the certificate.

(4) There shall be an irrefutable presumption as to the lawfulness of any use or operations for which a certificate is in force under this section unless there is a material change, before the use is instituted or the operations are begun, in any of the matters relevant to determining such lawfulness.

Certificates under sections 150 and 151: supplementary provisions.

152

(1) An application for a certificate under section 150 or 151 shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations or a development order and shall include such particulars, and be verified by such evidence, as may be required by such regulations or such an order or by any directions given under such regulations or such an order or by the planning authority.

(2) Provision may be made by such regulations or a development order for regulating the manner in which applications for certificates under those sections are to be dealt with by planning authorities.

(3) In particular, such regulations or such an order may provide for requiring the authority—

(a) to give to any applicant within such time as may be prescribed by the regulations or the order such notice as may be so prescribed as to the manner in which his application has been dealt with, and

(b) to give to the Secretary of State and to such other persons as may be prescribed by or under the regulations or the order, such information as may be so prescribed with respect to such applications made to the authority, including information as to the manner in which any application has been dealt with.

(4) A certificate under section 150 or 151 may be issued—

(a) for the whole or part of the land specified in the application, and

(b) where the application specifies two or more uses, operations or other things, for all of them or some one or more of them,

and shall be in such form as may be prescribed by such regulations or a development order.

(5) A certificate under section 150 or 151 shall not affect any matter constituting a failure to comply with any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission has been granted unless that matter is described in the certificate.

(6) In section 36 references to applications for planning permission shall include references to applications for certificates under section 150 or 151.

(7) A planning authority may revoke a certificate under section 150 or 151 if, on the application for the certificate—

(a) a statement was made or document used which was false in a material particular, or

(b) any material information was withheld.

(8) Provision may be made by such regulations or a development order for regulating the manner in which certificates may be revoked and the notice to be given of such revocation.

Offences.

153

(1) If any person, for the purpose of procuring a particular decision on an application (whether by himself or another) for the issue of a certificate under section 150 or 151 of this Act—

(a) knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular,

(b) with intent to deceive, uses any document which is false or misleading in a material particular, or

he shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, and

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or a fine, or both.

Appeals against refusal or failure to give decision on application.

154

(1) Where an application is made to a planning authority for a certificate under section 150 or 151 and—

(a) the application is refused or is refused in part, or

(b) the planning authority do not give notice to the applicant of their decision on the application within such period as may be prescribed by regulations or a development order or within such extended period as may at any time be agreed in writing by the applicant and the authority,

the applicant may appeal to the Secretary of State.

(2) An appeal under subsection (1) shall be by notice given within such period (not being less than 28 days) as may be prescribed by regulations or a development order.

(3) On any such appeal, if and so far as the Secretary of State is satisfied—

(a) in the case of an appeal under subsection (1)(a), that the authority’s refusal is not well-founded, or

(b) in the case of an appeal under subsection (1)(b), that, if the planning authority had refused the application, their refusal would not have been well-founded,

he shall grant the appellant a certificate under section 150 or 151 accordingly or, in the case of a refusal in part, modify the certificate granted by the authority on the application.

(4) If and so far as the Secretary of State is satisfied that the authority’s refusal is or, as the case may be, would have been well-founded, he shall dismiss the appeal.

(5) Schedule 4 applies to appeals under this section.

Further provisions as to appeals to the Secretary of State.

155

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Where the Secretary of State or a person appointed by him under Schedule 4 to determine an appeal grants a certificate under section 150 or 151, the Secretary of State or that person shall give notice to the planning authority of that fact.

Rights of entry for enforcement purposes

Right to enter without warrant.

156

(1) Any person duly authorised in writing by a planning authority may at any reasonable hour enter any land—

(a) to ascertain whether there is or has been any breach of planning control on the land or any other land;

(b) to determine whether any of the powers conferred on a planning authority by sections 127 to 138, 140, 141, 144,144A, 145 and 147 to 155 should be exercised in relation to the land or any other land;

(d) to ascertain whether there has been compliance with any requirement imposed as a result of any such power having been exercised in relation to the land or any other land,

if there are reasonable grounds for entering for the purpose in question.

(2) Any person duly authorised in writing by the Secretary of State may at any reasonable hour enter any land to determine whether an enforcement notice should be issued in relation to the land or any other land, if there are reasonable grounds for entering for that purpose.

(3) The Secretary of State shall not so authorise any person without consulting the planning authority.

(4) Admission to any building used as a dwellinghouse shall not be demanded as of right by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) unless 24 hours’ notice of the intended entry has been given to the occupier of the building.

Right to enter under warrant.

157

(1) If the sheriff is satisfied—

(a) that there are reasonable grounds for entering any land for any of the purposes mentioned in section 156(1) or (2), and

(b) that—

(i) admission to the land has been refused, or a refusal is reasonably apprehended, or

(ii) the case is one of urgency,

he may issue a warrant authorising any person duly authorised in writing to enter the land.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(i) admission to land shall be regarded as having been refused if no reply is received to a request for admission within a reasonable period.

(3) A warrant authorises entry on one occasion only and that entry must be—

(a) within one month from the date of the issue of the warrant, and

(b) at a reasonable hour, unless the case is one of urgency.

Rights of entry: supplementary provisions.

158

(1) A person authorised to enter any land in pursuance of a right of entry conferred under or by virtue of section 156 or 157 (referred to in this section as “a right of entry”)—

(a) shall, if so required, produce evidence of his authority and state the purpose of his entry before so entering,

(b) may take with him such other persons as may be necessary, and

(c) on leaving the land shall, if the owner or occupier is not then present, leave it as effectively secured against trespassers as he found it.

(2) Any person who wilfully obstructs a person acting in the exercise of a right of entry shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3) If any damage is caused to land or moveable property in the exercise of a right of entry, compensation may be recovered by any person suffering the damage from the authority who gave the written authority for the entry or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State.

(4) The provisions of section 86 shall apply in relation to compensation under subsection (3) as they apply in relation to compensation under Part IV.

(5) If any person who enters any land, in exercise of a right of entry discloses to any person any information obtained by him while on the land as to any manufacturing process or trade secret, he shall be guilty of an offence.

(6) Subsection (5) does not apply if the disclosure is made by a person in the course of performing his duty in connection with the purpose for which he was authorised to enter the land.

(7) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (5) shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or

(b) on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine or both.

Enforcement charters

158A

(1) A planning authority are to prepare an enforcement charter; that is to say, a document in which are set out—

(a) a statement of the authority's policies as regards their taking enforcement action for the purposes of this Act,

(b) an account of how members of the public are to bring any ostensible breach of planning control to the attention of the authority, and

(i) of how any complaint to the authority as regards the taking by them of enforcement action is to be made, and

(ii) of their procedures for dealing with any such complaint.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to a planning authority for the purposes of this section and an authority must have regard to any guidance so issued.

(3) A planning authority must keep their enforcement charter under review and must update and re-publish it—

(a) whenever required to do so by the Scottish Ministers, and

(b) (subject to paragraph (a)) whenever they think it appropriate to do so but in any event within 2 years after last publishing (or re-publishing) it.

(4) When they publish, or re-publish, their enforcement charter, the authority are to—

(a) send two copies of it to the Scottish Ministers, and

(b) place a copy of it in each public library in their district,

and such publication, or re-publication, is to include by electronic means (as for example by means of the internet).

Part VII — Special Controls

Chapter I — Trees

General duty of planning authorities as respects trees

Forestry and woodland strategy

A159

(1) A planning authority are to prepare a forestry and woodland strategy.

(2) A forestry and woodland strategy is to—

(a) identify woodlands of high nature conservation value in the planning authority's area, and

(b) set out the planning authority's policies and proposals in their area, as to—

(i) the development of forestry and woodlands,

(ii) the protection and enhancement of woodlands, in particular those mentioned in paragraph (a),

(iii) the resilience to climate change of woodlands, in particular those mentioned in paragraph (a),

(iv) the expansion of woodlands of a range of types to provide multiple benefits to the physical, cultural, economic, social and environmental characteristics of the area,

(3) In preparing a forestry and woodland strategy a planning authority are to consult—

(a) the Scottish Ministers,

(b) such organisations appearing to them to represent those with an interest in the matters listed in subsection (2)(b), and

(4) The planning authority must publish the strategy by such means as they consider appropriate.

(5) Two or more planning authorities may act jointly to prepare a forestry and woodland strategy.

(6) Where two or more planning authorities act jointly to prepare a forestry and woodland strategy, a reference in this section to—

(a) a planning authority is to those authorities acting jointly,

(b) a planning authority's area is a reference to the combined area of the authorities.

(7) In this section, “publish” includes, without prejudice to that expression's generality, publish by electronic means (as for example by means of the internet).

Planning permission to include appropriate provision for preservation and planting of trees.

159

It shall be the duty ...—

(a) of the Scottish Ministers and the planning authority to ensure, whenever it is appropriate, that in granting planning permission for any development adequate provision is made, by the imposition of conditions, for the preservation or planting of trees, and

(b) of the planning authority to make such orders under section 160 as appear to the authority to be necessary in connection with the grant of such permission, whether for giving effect to such conditions or otherwise, and

(c) of the planning authority from time to time to review any order made in exercise of their powers under that section and to consider whether it is requisite to vary or revoke the order in question.

Tree preservation orders

Power to make tree preservation orders.

160

(1) A planning authority may, if it appears to them that the requirements of subsection (1A) are met, make an order specifying any trees, groups of trees or woodlands in their district and providing for their preservation.

(1A) Those requirements are (either or both)—

(a) that it is expedient in the interests of amenity to make that provision,

(b) that the trees, groups of trees or woodlands are of cultural or historical significance.

(2) An order under subsection (1) is in this Act referred to as a “tree preservation order”.

(3) A tree preservation order may, in particular, make provision—

(a) for prohibiting (subject to any exemptions for which provision may be made by the order) the cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees except with the consent of the planning authority, and for enabling that authority to give their consent subject to conditions;

(b) for securing the replanting, in such manner as may be prescribed by or under the order, of any part of a woodland area which is felled in the course of forestry operations permitted by or under the order;

(c) for applying, in relation to any consent under the order, and to applications for such consent, any of the provisions of this Act mentioned in subsection (4), subject to such adaptations and modifications as may be specified in the order.

(4) The provisions referred to in subsection (3)(c) are—

(a) the provisions of Part III relating to planning permission and to applications for planning permission, except sections 32, 34, 35, 36(2) and (3), 38, 58 to 62, 69 and 70 and Schedules 6 and 7, and section 65 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997,

(b) sections 88 to 92, 94 and 95 (except so far as they relate to purchase notices served in consequence of such orders as are mentioned in section 88(1)(b) or (c)), and

(5) A tree preservation order may be made so as to apply, in relation to trees to be planted pursuant to any such conditions as are mentioned in section 159(a), as from the time when those trees are planted.

(6) Without prejudice to any other exemptions for which provision may be made by a tree preservation order, nothing in such an order shall prohibit the uprooting, felling or lopping of trees if—

(a) it is urgently necessary in the interests of safety,

(b) it is necessary for the prevention or abatement of a nuisance, or

(ba) it is authorised by an order granting development consent,

(c) it is in compliance with any obligation imposed by or under an Act of Parliamentor an Act of the Scottish Parliament,

so long as... notice in writing of the proposed operations is given to the planning authority as soon as practicable after the operations become necessary.

(7) This section shall have effect subject to—

(a) section 39(2) of the Housing and Planning Act 1986 (saving for effect of section 2(4) of the Opencast Coal Act 1958 on land affected by a tree preservation order despite its repeal), and

(b) section 33 of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (felling of trees subject to tree preservation orders).

(8) In relation to an application for consent under a tree preservation order the Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision as to—

(a) the form and manner in which the application must be made,

(b) particulars of such matters as are to be included in the application,

Form of and procedure applicable to orders.

161

(1) Subject to section 249, a tree preservation order—

(a) takes effect on such date as may be specified in the order, but

(b) expires 6 months after it is made unless it has, within that period, been confirmed by the planning authority.

(1A) An order may be confirmed under subsection (1)(b) without modification or subject to such modifications as the planning authority consider expedient.

(2) As soon as a tree preservation order is confirmed, the planning authority shall record it in the appropriate Register of Sasines or, as the case may be, register it in the Land Register of Scotland.

(3) Provision may be made by regulations with respect to—

(a) the form of tree preservation orders, and

(b) the procedure to be followed in connection with the confirmation of such orders.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3), the regulations may make provision—

(a) that, before a tree preservation order is confirmed by the planning authority, notice of the making of the order shall be given to the owners, lessees and occupiers of land affected by the order and to such other persons, if any, as may be specified in the regulations,

(b) that objections and representations with respect to the order, if duly made in accordance with the regulations, shall be considered before the order is confirmed by the planning authority, and

(c) that copies of the order, when confirmed by the authority, shall be served on such persons as may be specified in the regulations.

Imminent danger to trees: entry to affix copy of tree preservation order

161A

(1) If it appears to a planning authority that a tree, group of trees or woodlands—

(a) on land in their district, and

(b) in respect of which they have made a tree preservation order,

may be in imminent danger of being cut down, topped, lopped, uprooted, wilfully damaged or wilfully destroyed and accordingly that it is expedient that a copy of the order should be affixed conspicuously to the tree, group of trees or woodlands in question, a person duly authorised in writing by them may enter the land and so affix such a copy.

(2) Subsection (1) is without prejudice to any provision made by virtue of section 161(3)(b) and (4) as respects notice of the making of the order.

Tree preservation: Forestry Commissioners

162

(1) A tree preservation order does not have effect in respect of anything done—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) by or on behalf of any other person in accordance with a relevant plan which is for the time being in force.

(2) A relevant plan is—

(a) a plan of operations or other working plan approved by the Forestry Commissioners under—

(i) a forestry dedication agreement within the meaning of section 5 of the Forestry Act 1967, or

(ii) conditions of a grant or loan made under section 1 of the Forestry Act 1979,

(b) a plan approved by the Scottish Ministers under conditions of financial assistance provided under section 71 of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018, provided that the plan relates to the promotion of sustainable forest management, or

(3) A reference to a provision of the Forestry Act 1967 or the Forestry Act 1979 or the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 includes a reference to a corresponding provision replaced by that provision or any earlier corresponding provision.

Provisional tree preservation orders.

163

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power for Secretary of State to make tree preservation orders.

164

(1) If it appears to the Secretary of State that it is expedient that a tree preservation order, or an order amending or revoking such an order, should be made, he may himself make such an order.

(2) Such an order made by the Secretary of State shall have the same effect as if it had been made by the planning authority and timeously confirmed by them under this Chapter.

(3) The Secretary of State shall not make such an order without consulting the planning authority.

(4) The provisions of this Chapter and of any regulations made under it with respect to the procedure to be followed in connection with the making and confirmation of any order mentioned in subsection (1) and the service of copies of it as confirmed shall have effect, subject to any necessary modifications, in relation to any proposal by the Secretary of State to make such an order by virtue of subsection (1), its making by him and the service of copies of it.

Compensation for loss or damage caused by orders etc.

Compensation in respect of tree preservation orders.

165

(1) A tree preservation order may make provision for the payment by the planning authority, subject to such exceptions and conditions as may be specified in the order, of compensation in respect of loss or damage caused or incurred in consequence of—

(a) the refusal of any consent required under the order, or

(b) the grant of any such consent subject to conditions.

(2) Except in so far as may be otherwise provided by section 166(5), any tree preservation order or any regulations made under this Act, any question of disputed compensation under this section shall be referred to and determined by the Lands Tribunal.

(3) In relation to the determination of any such question, the provisions of sections 9 and 11 of the Land Compensation (Scotland) Act 1963 shall apply subject to any necessary modifications and to the provisions of any regulations made under this Act.

Compensation in respect of requirement as to replanting of trees.

166

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a requirement is imposed by the planning authority or the Secretary of State under a tree preservation order for securing the replanting of all or any part of a woodland area which is felled in the course of forestry operations permitted by or under the order, and

(b) the Scottish Ministers decide not to provide financial assistance under section 71 of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 in respect of the replanting by reason that the requirement frustrates the use of the woodland area for the growing of timber or other forest products for commercial purposes and in accordance with the rules or practice of good forestry.

(2) Where this section applies, the planning authority exercising functions under the tree preservation order shall be liable, on the making of a claim in accordance with this section, to pay compensation in respect of such loss or damage, if any, as is caused or incurred in consequence of compliance with the requirement.

(3) The Scottish Ministers shall, at the request of the person under a duty to comply with such a requirement as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a), give a certificate stating—

(a) whether they have decided not to provide such financial assistance as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b), and

(b) if so, the grounds for their decision.

(4) A claim for compensation under this section must be served on the planning authority—

(a) within 12 months from the date on which the requirement was made, or

(b) where an application has been made to the Secretary of State for the determination of any question relating to the reasonableness of a requirement, within 12 months from the date of the determination of the Secretary of State,

but subject in either case to such extension of that period as the planning authority may allow.

(5) Any question of disputed compensation under this section shall be determined in accordance with section 70 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967.

Consequences of tree removal etc.

Replacement of trees.

167

(1) If any tree in respect of which a tree preservation order is for the time being in force—

(a) is removed, uprooted or destroyed in contravention of the order, or

(b) except in the case of a tree to which the order applies as part of a woodland, is removed, uprooted or destroyed or dies at a time when its felling or uprooting is authorised only by virtue of section 160(6)(a),

it shall be the duty of the owner of the land to plant another tree of an appropriate size and species at the same place as soon as he reasonably can.

(2) The duty imposed by subsection (1) does not apply to an owner if on application by him the planning authority dispense with it.

(3) In respect of trees in a woodland it shall be sufficient for the purposes of this section to replace the trees removed, uprooted or destroyed by planting the same number of trees—

(a) on or near the land on which the trees removed, uprooted or destroyed stood, or

(b) on such other land as may be agreed between the planning authority and the owner of the land,

and in such places as may be designated by the planning authority.

(4) In relation to any tree planted pursuant to this section, the relevant tree preservation order shall apply as it applied to the original tree.

(5) The duty imposed by subsection (1) on the owner of any land shall attach to the person who is from time to time the owner of the land.

Enforcement of duties as to replacement of trees.

168

(1) If it appears to the planning authority that—

(a) the provisions of section 167, or

(b) any conditions of a consent given under a tree preservation order which require the replacement of trees,

are not complied with in the case of any tree or trees, the authority may serve on the owner of the land a notice requiring him, within such period as may be specified in the notice, to plant a tree or trees of such size and species as may be so specified.

(2) A notice under subsection (1) may be served by a planning authority only within 2 years from the date on which the failure to comply with those provisions or conditions came to the knowledge of the authority.

(3) A notice under subsection (1) shall specify a period at the end of which it is to take effect, being a period of not less than 28 days beginning with the date of service of the notice.

(3A) In relation to any tree planted by virtue of a requirement such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b), the relevant tree preservation order shall apply as it applied to the original trees.

(4) The duty imposed by section 167(1) may only be enforced as provided by this section and not otherwise.

Appeal against section 168 notice.

169

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