Article 23 Liability of occupiers of land protected by sea defences

This Article shall have effect in relation to land (in this Article referred to as “protected land”) protected by designated sea defences, but without prejudice to the provisions of Schedule 5.

The Ministry may formulate a scheme providing for the carrying out on any protected land of such ancillary works, including the installation, operation and maintenance of such pumps or other plant as appear to the Ministry to be necessary to secure the efficient drainage of that land.

The Ministry may serve on any occupier of any protected land a notice in writing requiring him, within such period as may be specified in the notice, to comply with the scheme or so much thereof as may be so specified.

The provisions of paragraphs 6 to 8 of Schedule 5 shall have effect for the purposes of this Article as if in terms made applicable thereto.

Nothing in this Article shall render an occupier of protected land liable for the reconstruction, repair or maintenance of any embankment forming part of sea defence works, nor of valves or other works forming part of such works.

Articles 11 to 14 shall not have effect in relation to a scheme formulated under this Article.