[F1(1)This section has effect as respects land F2. . . which is or forms part of an area which in the opinion of [F3the [F4NRBW] or Scottish Natural Heritage ] is of special interest by reason of its flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features.
(2)Where, for the purpose of conserving those flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features, it appears to the [F4NRBW] [F5or (as the case may be) Scottish Natural Heritage] expedient F6. . . to do so, the [F4NRBW][F5or (as the case may be) Scottish Natural Heritage] may enter into an agreement with the owners, lessees and occupiers of any such land [F7(or of any [F8adjacent ][F8other] land)] which imposes restrictions on the exercise of rights over land by the persons who can be bound by the agreement.
(3)Any such agreement—
(a)may provide for the carrying out on the land of such work and the doing thereon of such other things as may be expedient for the purposes of the agreement,
(b)may provide for any of the matters mentioned in paragraph (a) above being carried out, or for the cost thereof being defrayed, either by the owners or other persons, or by the [F4NRBW] [F9or (as the case may be) Scottish Natural Heritage] , or partly in one way and partly in another, and
(c)may contain such other provisions as to the making of payments by the[F4NRBW][F9or (as the case may be) Scottish Natural Heritage] as may be specified in the agreement.
(4)Where section 79 of the M1Law of Property Act 1925 (burden of covenant running with the land) applies to any such restrictions as are mentioned in subsection (2) of this section, the [F4NRBW] shall have the like rights as respects the enforcement of the restrictions as if the [F4NRBW] had at all material times been the absolute owner in possession of ascertained land adjacent to the land in respect of which the restriction is sought to be enforced, and capable of being benefited by the restriction, and the restriction had been expressed to be for the benefit of that adjacent land.
Section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 (discharge or modification of restrictive covenants) shall not apply to such a restriction.
(5)Schedule 2 to the M2Forestry Act 1967 (powers of tenants for life and other limited owners to enter into forestry dedication covenants or agreements) shall apply to any agreement made in pursuance of this section as it applies to such a covenant or agreement.
(6)This section shall apply to Scotland but there shall be substituted for subsection (4) the following subsection—
“(4)An agreement under this section may be recorded in the Register of Sasines, and if so recorded shall be enforceable at the instance of [F10Scottish Natural Heritage ] against any person having an interest in the land and against any person deriving title from him:
Provided that such an agreement shall not be enforceable against any third party who shall have in good faith and for value acquired right (whether [F11 title has been completed ] or not) to his interest in the land prior to the agreement being recorded as aforesaid, or against any person deriving title from such third party.”
F12(6A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7)The Act of 1949 shall have effect as if this section were included in Part III of that Act.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 15 omitted (E.W.) (21.5.2016) by virtue of Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 3), s. 88(2)(a), Sch. 2 para. 2(3)
F2Words repealed by Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69, SIF 4:5), Sch. 17 Pt. I
F3Words in s. 15(1) substituted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), s. 107, Sch. 11 para. 48(2)(a); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)
F4Word in s. 15 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 95 (with Sch. 7)
F5Words in s. 15(2) inserted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), s. 107, Sch. 11 para. 48(2)(b); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)
F6Words in s. 15(2) repealed (1.4.1991) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), ss. 132, 162(2), Sch. 9 para. 4(2)(a), Sch. 16 Pt. VI; S.I. 1991/685, art. 3.
F7Words in s. 15(2) inserted (1.4.1991) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 132, Sch. 9 para. 4(2)(a); S.I. 1991/685, art. 3.
F8Word in s. 15(2) substituted (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 75(3), 103(2)
F9Words in s. 15(3) inserted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), s. 107, Sch. 11 para. 48(2)(b); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)
F10Words in s. 15(6) substituted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), s. 107, Sch. 11 para. 48(3); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)
F11Words in s. 15(6) substituted (28.11.2004) by Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 5), ss. 71, 77(2), sch. 12 para. 29(2) (with ss. 58, 62, 75); S.S.I. 2003/456, art. 2
F12S. 15(6A) repealed (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), s. 107, Sch. 11 para. 48(4), Sch. 12; S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 15 amended (30.1.2001) by 1981 c. 69, s. 28J(13) (as substituted (30.1.2001) for s. 28 by 2000 c. 37, ss. 75(1), 103(2), Sch. 9 para. 1 (with Sch. 11 paras. 1-17, 20))
C2S. 15 modified (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (Commencement No.3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2541), art. 3(2), Sch. para. 4
Marginal Citations