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National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 in Scotland

12 & 13 & 14 Geo. 6 c. 97 · Enacted 16 December 1949 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Not fully up to date. 15 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 26 December 2023.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 114(1)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 14(b)
Sch. 1 para. 2(5)word omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 15
s. 4A(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 7
s. 4A(2)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 7
s. 6(7)(8)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 8
s. 9 headingwords insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 9
s. 11A(5)(a)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 10
s. 60(5)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 11
s. 69(2)word omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 12
s. 109(1)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 13(a)
s. 109(2)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 13(b)
s. 114(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 14(a)
s. 16(5)(b)words substitutedTrusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 Sch. 1 para. 3(b)
s. 16(5)(b)words substitutedTrusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 Sch. 1 para. 3(a)
Pt. 5restrictedCountryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 s. 46(2)

An Act to make provision for National Parks and the establishment of a National Parks Commission; to confer on the Nature Conservancy and local authorities powers for the establishment and maintenance of nature reserves; to make further provision for the recording, creation, maintenance and improvement of public paths and for securing access to open country, and to amend the law relating to rights of way; to confer further powers for preserving and enhancing natural beauty; and for matters connected with the purposes aforesaid.

[16th December 1949]C1C2C3C4C5I1C6C7C8C9C10

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act amended by Countryside Act 1968 (c. 41), s. 38; extended by Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48, SIF 96), Sch. 4 para. 93(1)(x), and Civil Aviation Act 1982 (c. 16, SIF 9), s. 19(2), Sch. 2 para. 4

C2

References to local planning authority to be construed in accordance with Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70, SIF 81:1), s. 184(1)-(5)

C3

Act extended by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 2(1)(vii), Sch. 8 para. 33

C4

Act extended (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 1(2)(iv), Sch. 26 para. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

C5

Act extended (E.W.S.) by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 1(1)(vii), Sch. 17 paras. 33, 35(1)

C6

The definition of "waterway" in this Act is applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 157(6), 223(2)

The definition of "waterway" in this Act is applied (E.W.) (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 210(1), 225(2), Sch. 25 para. 3(4)

C7

Act: functions transferred (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 68(2)(a)(8), 125(2) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

Act: transfer of certain functions (W.) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1

C8

Act modified (E.W.) (19.9.1996) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 68(2)(b)(c), 125(2) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

C9

Act extended (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 2(1)(v); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2

C10

Act amended (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/593, reg. 2, Sch. 1

Act modified (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 38, s. 37, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)(2)(c) (with s. 106)

Commencement

I1

Act wholly in force at Royal Assent

Contents

  1. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  2. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  3. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  4. 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  5. 14Acquisition by Minister of land in National Parks.
  6. Part III: Nature Conservation
  7. 15Meaning of “nature reserve.”
  8. 15AMeaning of appropriate conservation body.
  9. 16Agreements for management of nature reserves in Scotland and Wales
  10. 17Compulsory acquisition of land by conservation body for establishment of nature reserves.
  11. 18Compulsory acquisition of land by conservation body for maintenance of nature reserves.
  12. 19Declarations that areas are nature reserves.
  13. 20Byelaws for protection of nature reserves.
  14. 21Establishment of nature reserves by local authorities.
  15. 22Power of drainage authorities to do work in nature reserves.
  16. 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  17. 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  18. 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  19. 26Application of Part III to Scotland.
  20. Ascertainment of footpaths, bridleways and certain other highways
  21. 27–35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  22. 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  23. 37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  24. 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  25. 39–50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  26. Long-Distance Routes
  27. 53Ferries for purposes of long-distance routes.
  28. 54Accommodation, meals and refreshments along long-distance routes.
  29. 55AProposals relating to the English coastal route
  30. 55BRoute subject to erosion etc
  31. 55CAlternative routes
  32. 55DCoastal margin
  33. 55EConsideration of reports made pursuant to the coastal access duty
  34. 55FDirections under Part 1 of the CROW Act
  35. 55GFerries for the purposes of the English coastal route
  36. 55HVariation pursuant to the coastal access duty
  37. 55ITemporary diversions
  38. 55JInterpretation of sections 55A to 55J
  39. Minor Amendments of Law relating to Rights of Way
  40. 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  41. 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  42. 59Provision for public access to open country.
  43. 60Rights of public where access agreement, order in force.
  44. 66Effect of access agreement or order on rights and liabilities of owners.
  45. 67Provision of means of access.
  46. 70Compensation for access orders.
  47. 71Compensation to be assessed with regard to effect of first five years of access.
  48. 72Claims for compensation and interest.
  49. 73Payments on account in cases of special hardship.
  50. 74Application to waterways in National Parks.
  51. 75Exercise of powers under s. 13 as respects open country and waterways comprised in access orders.
  52. 76Acquisition by local authorities of land for public access.
  53. 77Acquisition by Ministers of land for public access.
  54. 78Maps of land subject to public access.
  55. 79. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  56. 80Provisions as to danger areas.
  57. 81Boundary notices.
  58. 82Power of local planning authority to contribute to work carried out by other persons.
  59. 83Repeal of 2 & 3 Geo. 6. c. 30.
  60. Part VI: General, Financial and Supplementary
  61. 84. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  62. General powers and duties of Commission
  63. 86Information services to be provided by Natural England.
  64. 86AInformation services to be provided by Natural Resources Body for Wales.
  65. Areas of outstanding natural beauty
  66. 87Designation of areas of outstanding natural beauty. Repealed
  67. 88Functions of certain bodies in relation to areas of outstanding natural beauty. Repealed
  68. General Powers of Local Planning Authorities
  69. 89Planting of trees and treatment of derelict land.
  70. 90Local authority byelaws.
  71. 91Default powers of Secretary of State as to certain byelaws.
  72. 92Wardens.
  73. 93, 94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  74. Financial Provisions
  75. 95. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  76. 96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  77. 97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  78. 98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  79. 99Contributions by local authorities.
  80. 100Payments out of moneys provided by Parliament.
  81. Supplementary Provisions
  82. 101Crown land.
  83. 102. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  84. 103General provisions as to acquisition of land.
  85. 104General provisions as to appropriation and disposal of land.
  86. 105. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  87. 106Supplementary provisions as to byelaws.
  88. 106ASupplementary provisions as to byelaws made by the Natural Resources Body for Wales
  89. 107Supplementary provisions as to compensation under ss. 20, 46 and 70.
  90. 109†Application of provisions of Act of 1947 as to inquiries and service of notices.
  91. 110Regulations and orders.
  92. 111Application to Isles of Scilly.
  93. 111AApplication to the Broads Authority.
  94. 112Epping Forest and Burnham Beeches.
  95. 113National Trust land.
  96. 114Interpretation.
  97. 115Short title and extent.
  98. Schedule FIRST: Provisions as to Making, Confirmation, Coming into Operation and Validity of certain Instruments
  99. Part I
  100. 3AParagraph 3A
  101. 4Paragraph 4
  102. II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  103. Part III
  104. Provisions as to validity of orders, and of certain maps and statements prepared under Part IV of this Act
  105. 8Paragraph 8
  106. 9Paragraph 9
  107. 10Paragraph 10
  108. 11Paragraph 11
  109. Schedule 1A: Coastal access reports
  110. Introductory
  111. 1Paragraph 1
  112. Advertising etc of coastal access reports
  113. 2Paragraph 2
  114. Objections by persons with relevant interest in affected land
  115. 3Paragraph 3
  116. Referral of objections to the appointed person
  117. 4Paragraph 4
  118. Determination of admissibility of objections
  119. 5Paragraph 5
  120. Admissible objections
  121. 6Paragraph 6
  122. Representations about reports
  123. 7Paragraph 7
  124. 8Paragraph 8
  125. Reference of objection to the appointed person
  126. 9Paragraph 9
  127. Consideration of objections by appointed person
  128. 10Paragraph 10
  129. Recommendations of the appointed person
  130. 11Paragraph 11
  131. Information and documents
  132. 12Paragraph 12
  133. Holding of local inquiries and other hearings by appointed person
  134. 13Paragraph 13
  135. Supplementary provision about procedure in connection with objections
  136. 14Paragraph 14
  137. Preliminary consultation
  138. 15Paragraph 15
  139. Determinations under section 52
  140. 16Paragraph 16
  141. Notice of determinations under section 52
  142. 17Paragraph 17
  143. Interpretation
  144. 18Paragraph 18
  145. Schedule SECOND: General Restrictions to be observed by Persons having access to Open Country or Waterways by virtue of Part V of Act
  146. 1Paragraph 1
  147. 2Paragraph 2