Explanatory note

These Regulations prescribe the forms of certain orders under the Opencast Coal Act 1958 and the forms of the notices and advertisements to be given in connection with making and confirming such orders. The orders in question are orders conferring compulsorily rights of temporary occupation on the British Coal Corporation to facilitate opencast working and orders temporarily suspending non-vehicular rights of way for the same purpose.

The Regulations replace the Opencast Coal (Authorisations and Compulsory Rights Orders) Regulations 1975. The new regulations reproduce with modifications those of the forms prescribed by the 1975 regulations which remain relevant following the amendment of the Opencast Coal Act 1958 by the Housing and Planning Act 1986. Transitional provision is made in Regulation 6 for the Continued use of existing forms.