Article 3 Licence charges

(1)

Where Natural England issues a licence of a description in column 1 of the Schedule in relation to an application of a kind described (where appropriate) in column 2 of the Schedule, the applicant must pay to Natural England—

(a)

any corresponding fixed charge specified in column 3 of the Schedule;

(b)

any corresponding variable charge specified in column 4 of the Schedule;

(c)

where applicable, both of the charges referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b); and

(d)

an additional charge, where paragraph (2) applies.

(2)

This paragraph applies in respect of any licence for which a fixed charge alone is payable under paragraph (1)(a), where Natural England—

(a)

requires further information from an applicant prior to issuing a licence; or

(b)

issues a licence following review of an application it has rejected.

(3)

A variable charge referred to in paragraph (1)(b) is calculated by multiplying the total number of hours spent by Natural England in assessing the licence application by £121.

(4)

An additional charge referred to in paragraph (1)(d) is calculated by multiplying the additional hours spent by Natural England in connection with paragraph (2)(a) or paragraph (2)(b) by £121.

(5)

For the purposes of paragraphs (3) and (4), the number of hours spent may be rounded to the nearest quarter of an hour, and expressed as a fraction accordingly, where the time spent is—

(a)

less than one hour; or

(b)

not a whole number of hours.

(6)

A charge payable under this Order is payable to Natural England on demand.

(7)

The charges payable may be recoverable, as a civil debt, if not paid by the date on which they are due.

(8)

A civil debt recoverable under paragraph (7) may be recovered summarily in England by way of a complaint pursuant to section 58 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.