Search Legislation

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Species licences

18Licences under the 1981 Act

Explanatory NotesShow EN

(1)The 1981 Act is amended as follows.

(2)In section 16 (power to grant licences)—

(a)in subsection (3)—

(i)the word “or” immediately after paragraph (g) is repealed,

(ii)after paragraph (h) insert ; or

(i)for any other social, economic or environmental purpose,,

(b)after subsection (3) insert—

(3A)The appropriate authority shall not grant a licence under subsection (3)(i) unless it is satisfied—

(a)that undertaking the conduct authorised by the licence will give rise to, or contribute towards the achievement of, a significant social, economic or environmental benefit; and

(b)that there is no other satisfactory solution.,

(c)subsection (8B) is repealed,

(d)for subsections (9) to (9ZC) substitute—

(9)In this section “the appropriate authority” means the Scottish Ministers or such other person to whom the Scottish Ministers delegate power under section 16A.

(9ZA)The Scottish Ministers must consult Scottish Natural Heritage before granting or modifying a licence under any of subsections (1) to (5).

(9ZB)Subsection (9ZA) does not apply in relation to licences granted under—

(a)paragraph (i), (j) or (k) of subsection (1);

(b)paragraph (f), (g) or (h) of subsection (3); or

(c)paragraph (c) of subsection (4).,

(e)subsection (13) is repealed.

(3)After that section insert—

16ADelegation of licence-granting power: Scotland

(1)The Scottish Ministers may delegate their functions in relation to licences under section 16 to—

(a)Scottish Natural Heritage; or

(b)a local authority.

(2)But a function may be delegated to a local authority only in so far as it relates to—

(a)the development of land within the meaning of section 26(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (c. 8); or

(b)the demolition of buildings within the meaning of section 55 of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 8).

(3)A delegation may be, to any degree, general or specific and may in particular relate to—

(a)a particular type of bird, other animal or plant;

(b)a particular licence or type of licence;

(c)a particular area.

(4)Unless it specifies otherwise, a delegation relating to a particular type of licence includes the power to modify or revoke licences of that type that were granted before the delegation.

(5)A delegation to—

(a)Scottish Natural Heritage under subsection (1)(a) is to be made by written direction;

(b)a local authority under subsection (1)(b) is to be made by order.

(6)A local authority which is delegated a function under subsection (1)(b) must, before granting or modifying a licence, consult Scottish Natural Heritage.

(7)The Scottish Ministers may modify or revoke a direction under subsection (5)(a).

(8)Where a direction or order under subsection (5) is revoked, any existing licence granted under the direction or order continues to have effect (unless the revoking direction or order provides otherwise)..

(4)In section 26 (regulations, orders, notices etc.)—

(a)in subsection (4)—

(i)after paragraph (a) insert—

(aa)in the case of an order under section 16A(5)(b), shall consult Scottish Natural Heritage;,

(ii)in paragraph (b), after “14B,” (as inserted by section 17(6)(b)(iii)) insert “16A(5)(b) or”,

(iii)in paragraph (c) after “may,” insert “except in the case of an order under section 16A(5)(b),”,

(b)in subsection (5) after “Part” insert “, other than an order under section 16A(5)(b),”.

19Amendment of Schedule 6 to the 1981 Act

Explanatory NotesShow EN

In Schedule 6 to the 1981 Act (animals which may not be killed or taken by certain methods) the entries relating to the animals with the following common names are repealed—

Bats, Horseshoe (all species),
Bats, Typical (all species),
Cat, Wild,
Dolphin, Bottle-nosed,
Dolphin, Common,
Dormice (all species),
Marten, Pine,
Otter, Common,
Polecat,
Porpoise, Harbour (otherwise known as Common Porpoise).

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources