Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

52 Interpretation of Part II. E+W+S

(1) In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—

• “agricultural land” does not include land which affords rough grazing for livestock but is not otherwise used as agricultural land;

• “the Ministers”, in the application of this Part to England, means the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and, in the application of this Part to Scotland or Wales, means the Secretary of State.

• [F1 “the Nature Conservancy Councils” means the Nature Conservancy Council for England, the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and the Countryside Council for Wales; and references to “the Nature Conservancy Council” shall be construed in accordance with section 27A.]

(2) [F2 In the application of this Part to England (except as respects a metropolitan county or Greater London) and to Wales references to a local planning authority shall be construed—

(a) in sections 42, 43, 44 and 51(2)(c) as references to a county planning authority; and

(b) in any other provision, as references to a county planning authority and a district planning authority;]

and in the application of this Part to Scotland references to a local planning authority shall be construed as references to a regional planning authority, a general planning authority and a district planning authority.

(3) References in this Part to the conservation of the natural beauty of any land shall be construed as including references to the conservation of its flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features.

(4) Section 114 of the 1949 Act shall apply for the construction of this Part.

(5) Any power or duty which under this Part (except sections 41 and 42(1)) falls to be exercised or performed by or in relation to the Ministers may, in England, be exercised or performed by or in relation to either of them.

Textual Amendments

F1 Definition inserted (1.4.1991) by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 132(1)(a), Sch. 9 para. 11(13); S.I. 1991/685, art.3

F2 Words and s. 52(2)(a)(b) substituted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 2, 7, Sch. 3 para. 7(5)