Environment (Wales) Act 2016

1 (1) The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 is amended as follows. E+W

(2) In section 15A(2)—

(a) in paragraph (a)—

(i) after “Act” insert “ or section 16 of the 2016 Act ”;

(ii) omit the “and” at the end;

(b) after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c) “the 2016 Act” means the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.”

(3) In section 16—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) for “The Natural Resources Body for Wales” the first time it appears substitute “ A Welsh local authority ”;

(ii) for “Natural Resources Body for Wales” the second time it appears substitute “ Welsh local authority ”;

(b) after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) The power of a Welsh local authority in subsection (1)—

(a) is also exercisable where it appears to the authority that it is expedient in the interests of the locality that land should be managed as a nature reserve;

(b) is exercisable only in relation to land in the authority's area that is not held by, or managed in accordance with an agreement entered into with, the Natural Resources Body for Wales.”;

(c) in subsection (3), in paragraphs (b) and (c), for “the Natural Resources Body for Wales” substitute “ a Welsh local authority ”;

(d) in subsection (4), for “the Natural Resources Body for Wales” substitute “ a Welsh local authority ”;

(e) after subsection (5) insert—

“(6) In this section a “Welsh local authority” means—

(a) the council of a county or county borough in Wales, and

(b) a National Park authority for a National Park in Wales.”

(4) In section 21(4)—

(a) omit “, the Natural Resources Body for Wales”;

(b) for “references in subsection (1) of sections sixteen and seventeen respectively of this Act to the national interest were references” substitute “ reference in subsection (1) of section 17 of this Act to the national interest were a reference ”.