3Powers of local authorities
(1)For subsection (2) of section 89 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (treatment of derelict land) there shall be substituted the following subsection—
“(2)Where it appears to a local authority that any land in their area—
(a)is derelict, neglected or unsightly; or
(b)is not derelict, neglected or unsightly but is likely to become so by reason of actual or apprehended collapse of the surface as the result of the carrying out of relevant operations which have ceased to be carried out,
they may carry out, for the purpose of reclaiming or improving that land or of enabling it to be brought into use, such works on that land or any other land as appear to them expedient.
In this subsection ' relevant operations' means underground mining operations other than operations for the purpose of the working and getting of coal, or of coal and other minerals worked with coal, or for the purpose of getting any product from coal in the course of working and getting coal.”
(2)Section 6(3) of the [1963 c. 29.] Local Authorities (Land) Act 1963 (which precludes, in certain circumstances, the compulsory acquisition of land for the purposes of the said subsection (2)) shall cease to have effect.