Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2013/5/part/2
Timestamp: 2019-08-22 08:30:43
Document Index: 780214016

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 2', 'ART 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3']

Water Resources (Scotland) Act 2013, PART 2 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 22 August 2019. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
PART 2 SControl of water abstraction
5Qualifying abstractionS
(1)In this Part, “qualifying abstraction” means abstraction of water by any person—
(a)from a particular body of inland water within Scotland, and
(b)at a rate above the relevant threshold.
(2)In this Part, “abstraction” in relation to a body of inland water has the same meaning as in section 20(3)(b) of the 2003 Act in relation to a body of water of the sort to which that section relates (see section 20(6) of that Act).
(3)In this Part, “inland water” is as defined by section 3 of the 2003 Act.
I1S. 5 in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
6Prohibition arisingS
I2S. 6 in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
7Exemption from approvalS
(1)A qualifying abstraction is exempt if, on the day on which this subsection comes into force, it is subject to an authorisation under the Controlled Activities Regulations.
(2)The exemption under subsection (1) comes to an end if the authorisation subsequently—
(a)is varied so as to relate to a greater rate of abstraction than that to which it relates on the day mentioned in that subsection, or
(b)ceases to have effect for any reason, except temporarily.
(3)A qualifying abstraction is exempt if it is carried out for the sole or principal purpose of the exercise by Scottish Water of its core functions in relation to premises in Scotland.
(4)A qualifying abstraction is exempt if it is carried out for the sole or principal purpose of—
(a)generating electricity by hydro-power,
(b)irrigating agricultural or horticultural land,
(c)operating a fish farm, or
(d)maintaining a quarry or a coal or other mine.
(5)In subsection (3), the reference to Scottish Water's core functions is to be construed in accordance with section 70(2) of the 2002 Act.
(a)modify any of the exemptions under this section,
(b)specify further circumstances in which a qualifying abstraction is exempt from their approval under this Part.
I3S. 7 in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
8The relevant thresholdS
(1)In this Part, “the relevant threshold” means—
(a)the rate of 10 megalitres of water per day, or
(b)such other rate as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations prescribe.
(2)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations prescribe a method of calculation for the purpose of subsection (1).
(3)Regulations under subsection (2) may (in particular) include provision for all or some of an amount of water abstracted to be left out of account in specified circumstances.
I4S. 8 in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
9Consultation on changesS
Before making regulations under section 7(6) or 8(1)(b) or (2), the Scottish Ministers must consult—
I5S. 9 in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
Role of MinistersS
10Application for approvalS
(1)Any person may apply to the Scottish Ministers for their approval of a qualifying abstraction.
(2)The Scottish Ministers must by regulations make provision about the procedure in relation to an application under subsection (1).
(3)In particular, the regulations may—
(a)specify the form in which it is to be made,
(b)fix a reasonable fee for making it,
(c)describe the information that is to accompany it,
(d)require the applicant to give public notice of it,
(e)allow interested persons to make representations about it.
I6S. 10(2)(3) in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
11Factors as to approvalS
(1)In deciding whether to approve a qualifying abstraction, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to—
(a)the applicant's financial position,
(b)the proposed use of the water to be abstracted,
(i)economic, social or other benefit that may arise in Scotland (or an area within it) in consequence of the abstraction,
(ii)adverse impact of any kind that may arise in Scotland (or an area within it) in consequence of the abstraction,
(d)any relevant advice given under section 14(3) or (4),
(e)such additional factors as they consider to be relevant.
(2)If the Scottish Ministers do not approve a qualifying abstraction, they must give the applicant their reasons.
12Conditions of approvalS
(1)If the Scottish Ministers approve a qualifying abstraction, they may—
(a)specify the period for which their approval has effect,
(b)attach conditions to their approval.
(2)Conditions under subsection (1)(b) may—
(a)impose restrictions on—
(i)the rate at which water may be abstracted (above the relevant threshold),
(ii)the purposes for which the water may be used,
(b)require that particular steps be taken in relation to the abstraction or any associated operations,
(c)relate to compensation for any adverse impact of a specific kind caused by the abstraction,
(d)concern such other matters as the Scottish Ministers consider to be relevant.
(3)It is the holder who is subject to any conditions attached under subsection (1)(b).
(4)Except with the Scottish Ministers' prior consent, their approval of a qualifying abstraction is not transferable by the holder to another person.
(5)After consulting the holder, the Scottish Ministers may—
(a)under subsection (1)(a), extend any period specified under that subsection,
(b)under subsection (1)(b)—
(i)vary or remove any conditions attached to their approval, or
(ii)attach new conditions to their approval.
I7S. 13 in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
14Advice from other bodiesS
(1)Subsections (3) and (4) apply where the Scottish Ministers are considering—
(a)an application under section 10(1),
(b)what period (if any) should be specified under section 12(1)(a), or
(c)what conditions (if any) should be attached under section 12(1)(b).
(2)Subsection (3) does not apply if Scottish Water is the applicant.
(3)Scottish Water must give the Scottish Ministers such advice as they may reasonably seek from it concerning any adverse impact on the exercise of its core functions in relation to premises in Scotland.
(4)SEPA must give the Scottish Ministers such advice as they may reasonably seek from it concerning any adverse impact on the environment in Scotland.
(6)In subsections (3) and (4), the references to impact are to impact that may arise if the qualifying abstraction in question were to be carried out.
15Suspension and revocationS
(1)The Scottish Ministers may suspend or revoke their approval of a qualifying abstraction—
(a)if the holder requests that they do so,
(b)if the holder—
(i)breaches any conditions attached under section 12(1)(b), or
(ii)fails to comply with section 13(1), or
(c)in such other circumstances as they may by regulations prescribe.
(2)Before imposing a suspension or revocation under subsection (1)(b) or (c), the Scottish Ministers must—
(a)with reasons, inform the holder of their intention to do so,
(b)allow the holder to make representations.
I8S. 15(1)(c) in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
Appeal, monitoring and offenceS
16Appeal against decisionS
(1)For the purpose of subsections (2) to (4), a relevant decision is one—
(a)following an application under section 10(1), not to approve a qualifying abstraction,
(b)to specify a period under section 12(1)(a),
(c)to attach any conditions under section 12(1)(b), or
(d)to impose a suspension or revocation under section 15(1)(b) or (c).
(2)The applicant or (as the case may be) holder may appeal to the sheriff against a relevant decision, if aggrieved—
(a)in the case to which subsection (1)(a) or (d) relates, by the making of the relevant decision,
(b)in the case to which subsection (1)(b) relates, by the shortness of the period so specified,
(c)in the case to which subsection (1)(c) relates, by the nature or terms of the conditions so attached.
(3)An appeal under subsection (2) must be made—
(b)within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the relevant decision is duly intimated.
(4)In the appeal, the sheriff may uphold, vary or quash the relevant decision.
I9S. 17 in force at 10.6.2013 by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
19Corporate offendingS
(a)an offence under section 18(1) is committed by a relevant organisation, and
(b)the commission of the offence involves the connivance or consent of, or is attributable to the neglect of, a responsible official of the organisation.
(2)The responsible official (as well as the organisation) commits the offence.
(3)“Relevant organisation” means—
(a)company,
(b)limited liability partnership,
(c)ordinary partnership,
(d)other body or association.
(4)“Responsible official” means—
(a)in the case of a company, director, secretary, manager or similar officer,
(b)in the case of a limited liability partnership, member,
(c)in the case of an ordinary partnership, partner,
(d)in the case of another body or association, person who is concerned in the management or control of its affairs,
but in each case also includes person purporting to act in such a capacity.
Regulations etc.S
20Procedure for regulationsS
(1)Regulations under section 7(6), 8(1)(b) or (2), 15(1)(c) or 17(1) or (2) are subject to the affirmative procedure.
(2)Other regulations under this Part are subject to the negative procedure.
(3)Regulations under this Part may make different provision for different purposes.
I10S. 20 in force at 10.6.2013 by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
21Controlled Activities RegulationsS
(1)Nothing in this Part affects any requirement for an authorisation under the Controlled Activities Regulations.
(2)An authorisation under the Controlled Activities Regulations is subject to approval of a qualifying abstraction by the Scottish Ministers under this Part, so far as relevant in relation to the activities to which the authorisation relates (except where the authorisation exempts the abstraction under section 7(1)).
(b)a reference to an authorisation under the Controlled Activities Regulations is to an authorisation as defined by regulation 2 of those Regulations.
(4)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify—
(a)subsections (1) to (3),
(b)section 7(1).
(5)Regulations may be made under subsection (4) only if the Scottish Ministers consider them to be necessary or expedient in consequence of any revocation or amendment of—
(b)any subsequent regulations made under section 20 of the 2003 Act.
I11S. 21 in force at 10.6.2013 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.
22Other definitions for PartS
“holder” means person in whose favour the Scottish Ministers' approval under this Part has effect for the time being,
“premises” includes any land, building or other place,
I12S. 22 in force at 10.6.2013 by S.S.I. 2013/163, art. 3, Sch.