Article 6 Acquisition and disposal of amenity lands

Where the Department considers that it is expedient to acquire land for the purpose of—

the Department may, in accordance with arrangements approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel, acquire such land by agreement (whether by way of purchase, lease or exchange) or otherwise.

Where, for any of the purposes referred to in paragraph (1), the Department desires to acquire otherwise than by agreement any land, the Department may make an order vesting that land in the Department.

Section 97(2) and (3) of, and Schedule 6 to, the 1972 c. 9 (N.I.) Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 shall apply subject to the modifications specified in Schedule 2 for the purpose of the making of vesting orders under this Article.

Where the Department is of the opinion that any land acquired under this Article would be more expediently or efficiently managed or conserved in the public interestF2 by any person the Department may, in accordance with arrangements approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel, convey, either for value or otherwise and upon such terms and conditions as the Department may think fit, that land to that person, and may—

Without prejudice to paragraph (4), the Department may, in accordance with arrangements approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel, dispose of any land acquired under this Article which the Department no longer requires for any of the purposes referred to in paragraph (1), upon such terms and conditions as the Department may think fit, and may impose restrictions and grant or reserve rights as if the land were conveyed under paragraph (4).

Nothing in section 5 of the 1933 c. 6 (N.I.) Stormont Regulation and Government Property Act (Northern Ireland) 1933 (which relates to the taking and disposal of land for the public services) shall affect the disposal by the Department of land acquired under this Article.