Part 1Natural England and the Commission for Rural Communities
Chapter 1Natural England
General implementation powers
5I1Carrying out proposals etc.
Natural England may—
a
carry out proposals which appear to it to further its general purpose, or
b
assist in, coordinate or promote the carrying out of such proposals by others.
I26Financial and other assistance
1
Natural England may give financial assistance to any person, if doing so appears to it to further its general purpose.
2
Financial assistance under this section may be given in any form, and may in particular be given by way of a grant, a loan or a guarantee.
3
Financial assistance under this section may be given subject to conditions, including (in the case of a grant) conditions for repayment in specified circumstances.
4
Natural England may, if doing so appears to it to further its general purpose, provide assistance to any person by making available goods or equipment free of charge or at a reduced cost.
I37Management agreements
1
Natural England may make an agreement (a “management agreement) with a person who has an interest in land about the management or use of the land, if doing so appears to it to further its general purpose.
2
A management agreement may, in particular—
a
impose on the person who has an interest in the land obligations in respect of the use of the land;
b
impose on the person who has an interest in the land restrictions on the exercise of rights over the land;
c
provide for the carrying out of such work as may be expedient for the purposes of the agreement by any person or persons;
d
provide for any matter for which a management scheme relating to a site of special scientific interest provides (or could provide);
e
provide for the making of payments by either party to the other party or to any other person;
f
contain incidental and consequential provision.
3
A management agreement is, unless the agreement otherwise provides—
a
binding on persons deriving title under or from the person with whom Natural England makes the agreement, and
b
enforceable by Natural England against those persons.
4
Schedule 2 to the Forestry Act 1967 (c. 10) (power for tenant for life and others to enter into forestry dedication covenants) applies to management agreements as it applies to forestry dedication covenants.
5
For the purposes of any enactment or rule of law as to the circumstances in which the dedication of a highway or the grant of an easement may be presumed, or may be established by prescription, the use by the public or by any person of a way across land at any time while it is the subject of a management agreement is to be disregarded.
6
“Interest in land” has the same meaning as in the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (c. 97).
7
“Management scheme” and “site of special scientific interest” have the same meaning as in Part 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69).
I48Experimental schemes
1
Natural England may—
a
make and carry out experimental schemes designed to establish ways in which its general purpose might be furthered, or
b
promote the making and carrying out of such schemes.
2
A scheme is experimental if it involves—
a
the development or application of new methods, concepts or techniques, or
b
the testing or further development of existing methods, concepts or techniques.
3
Before making an experimental scheme, Natural England must consult such persons as appear to it to have an interest in the subject matter of the scheme.