Section 18 Felling directions.F1

Subject to the provisions of this Act (and, in particular, to the duty of the F2appropriate forestry authority to take advice under section 37(3), if it appears to the appropriate forestry authority that it is expedient in the interests of good forestry, or for purposes connected with their duty of promoting the establishment and maintenance F3. . . of adequate reserves of growing trees, that any growing trees should be felled—

they may give directions (in this Act referred to as “felling directions”) to the owner of the trees requiring him to fell them within such period, being not less than two years after the directions have become operative, as may be specified in the directions.

In considering whether to give felling directions, the appropriate forestry authority shall have regard to the interests of agriculture and the amenity or convenience of any farm or dwelling-house or park usually occupied with a dwelling-house, or of any land held inalienably by the National Trust or the National Trust for Scotland.

Felling directions given by the appropriate forestry authority shall contain a statement of the grounds upon which they are given.

A person who is given felling directions by the appropriate forestry authority may comply with the directions notwithstanding any lease, covenant or contract relating to the trees or land affected by the directions.

In the case of trees to which a tree preservation order relates, felling directions given by the appropriate forestry authority after the date on which the order comes into forceF4shall be sufficient authority for the felling, notwithstanding anything in—

tree preservation regulations, in the case of trees in England or Wales.

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