Consultation by district councils on access requirementsN.I.
27.—(1) A district council shall consult the Department and such bodies as appear to the district council to be representative of owners and occupiers of land for the purpose of ascertaining what land there is of the descriptions specified in Article 25 (2) (definition of “open country”) and considering what action should be taken, whether by the making of access agreements or orders or by the acquisition of land, for securing public access to open country for the purpose of open-air recreation.
(2) In considering what action should be taken, the district council shall have regard to all relevant circumstances, including—
(a)in the case of particular land, the extent to which public access to open country for the purpose of open-air recreation is likely to be available without such action being taken, and
(b)generally, the extent to which there is a need for greater facilities in the district for such access, whether for persons living in the district or for other persons.