Countryside Act 1968

[F1The Natural Resources Body for Wales]E+W

1General functions of the Countryside Council for WalesE+W

F2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 [F3Countryside Functions of Natural Resources Body for Wales ]. E+W

F4(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)The [F5NRBW] shall keep under review all matters relating to—

(a)the provision and improvement of facilities for the enjoyment of the countryside,

(b)the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside, and

(c)the need to secure public access to the countryside for the purposes of open-air recreation,

and shall consult with such local planning authorities and other bodies as appear to the [F5NRBW] to have an interest in those matters.

(3)The [F5NRBW] shall encourage, assist, concert or promote the implementation of any proposals with respect to those matters made by any person or body, being proposals which the [F5NRBW] consider to be suitable.

F6(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)Where it appears to the [F5NRBW] that the provision and improvement of facilities for enjoyment of the countryside or the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside presents special problems or requires special professional or technical skill, the [F5NRBW] —

(a)shall notify their opinion to the appropriate local planning authority or other public body, and

(b)on the application of any such authority or other body in any case where it appears to the [F5NRBW] expedient having regard to the [F7purposes mentioned in section 1(1)] of this Act, and to the provisions of section 5(1) of the Act of 1949 (general provisions as respects National Parks), shall place the services of officers or servants of the [F5NRBW] , or the services of consultants engaged by the [F5NRBW] , at the disposal of the authority or other body for such period as may be agreed between them, and on such terms as to payment or otherwise, as may be so agreed with the approval of the Minister.

(6)The [F5NRBW] shall make to local planning authorities and other public bodies, as respects the exercise of the powers of making byelaws conferred by this Act [F8, the Act of 1949 and Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000], recommendations as to the matters in respect of which byelaws should be made.

F9(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8)The [F5NRBW] shall provide, or assist in the provision of, publicity and information services relating to the countryside, to places of beauty or interest therein, or to the functions of the [F5NRBW], and shall take such steps as appear to them expedient for securing that suitable methods of publicity are used for the prevention of damage in the countryside and for [F10informing persons resorting to the countryside of their rights and obligations].

(9)The F11... [F5NRBW] shall make to the Minister such recommendations as the F11... [F5NRBW] think proper in respect of applications by local authorities for [F12grants under section 16 of the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975] .

F133. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

4 Experimental projects or schemes.E+W

[F14(1)The [F15NRBW] , after consultation with such local authorities [F16National Park authorities] and other bodies as appear to the [F15NRBW] to have an interest, may from time to time make and carry out or promote the carrying out of any experimental scheme designed to facilitate the enjoyment of the country side, or to conserve or enhance its natural beauty or amenity which—

(a)in relation to the countryside generally or to any particular area involves the development or application of new methods, concepts or techniques or the application or further development of existing methods, concepts or techniques; and

(b)is designed to illustrate the appropriateness of the scheme in question for the countryside generally or for any particular area.]

(3)For the purpose of their functions under the foregoing provisions of this section the [F15NRBW] may—

(a)with the approval of the Minister acquire land by agreement, or may be authorised by the Minister in a particular case to acquire land compulsorily,

(b)hold and manage land, and with the approval of the Minister and subject to the subsequent provisions of this section, dispose of or otherwise deal with land,

(c)erect buildings and carry out works or other operations on land,

(d)provide equipment, facilities and services on or in connection with land or with use of land,

(e)hold, manage, maintain, hire, let or otherwise dispose of such works, equipment, facilities or services,

(f)exercise any powers to carry out work or to provide facilities or services conferred by this Act or the Act of 1949 on local authorities or local planning authorities,

(g)with the approval of the Minister and the Treasury, acquire by agreement and carry on or set up and carry on, directly or through an agent, or themselves carry on as agent, any business or undertaking relevant to the experimental project or scheme, and, subject to the approval of the Minister and the Treasury, may dispose of any such business or undertaking.

(4)The disposal of land under this section may be by way of sale or exchange, or by the letting of land or the granting of any interest in or right over land, but the [F15NRBW]shall not under this section dispose of land by way of gift.

(5)The powers conferred by paragraphs (c) to (f) of subsection (3) above may be exercised by the [F15NRBW] —

(a)on land belonging to them, or

(b)on such terms as may be agreed with the owners and any other persons whose authority is required for the purpose, on other land,

and an agreement under paragraph (b) above may provide for the making by the [F15NRBW] of payments in consideration of the making of the agreement and payments by way of contribution towards expenditure incurred by the persons making the agreement in consequence thereof.

(6)The provisions of this section, except for that authorising compulsory purchase of land, shall have effect only for the purpose of removing any limitation imposed by law on the capacity of the [F15NRBW] , and shall not authorise any act or omission on the part of the [F15NRBW] which, apart from the said provisions of this section, would be actionable at the suit of any person on any ground other than such a limitation.

F175. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W