Abstract
The key procedural impact of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 ( •EPA 1990’), was the introduction of the abatement notice as a method of controlling statutory nuisances through administrative action. The abatement notice, once served, requires the recipient to remedy the nuisance. At the centre of control is the local authority, which has a duty to inspect for statutory nuisances and to respond to complaints. Once the authority has formed the view that there is a statutory nuisance, it must serve a notice. The question of the extent to which the authority must consult arises at this stage. Further, since the abatement notice exposes the recipient to the risk of prosecution, the notice itself must be carefully drawn within the powers of the local authority. Finally, it must be properly served.