(1)The appropriate Minister, with the consent of the Treasury [F1as respects England and Wales], may by regulations make provision for and in connection with the making of grants to persons who do, or who undertake to that Minister that they will do, anything which in the opinion of that Minister is conducive to—
(a)the conservation or enhancement of the natural beauty or amenity of the countryside (including its flora and fauna and geological and physiographical features) or of any features of archaeological interest there; or
(b)the promotion of the enjoyment of the countryside by the public.
(2)Regulations under this section may—
(a)make different provision for different cases or classes of case or for different areas;
(b)provide for grants to be made subject to conditions;
(c)confer power on the appropriate Minister to modify, in any particular case, the conditions to which a grant would otherwise be subject, if he is satisfied that the making of that grant, subject to the conditions as so modified, is consistent with the purposes for which the regulations are made;
(d)make provision for or in connection with the recovery of any sums paid by way of grant, or the withholding of any further payments of grant, in cases where the applicant for the grant—
(i)in making the application, or in furnishing any information in connection with the application, has made a statement which was false or misleading in a material respect;
(ii)has failed to do something which he undertook to do if the grant was made; or
(iii)is in breach of any condition subject to which the grant was made.
(3)The power to make regulations under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument; and a statutory instrument containing any such regulations shall be subject to annulment pursuant to a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(4)The powers conferred by this section are in addition to any other powers of the Secretary of State or the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
(5)In this section “the appropriate Minister” means—
(a)as respects England, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food;
(b)as respects Wales, the Secretary of State;
(c)as respects Scotland, the Secretary of State.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 98(1) inserted (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1820, arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I para. 120(7); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 98 extended (to Isles of Scilly) (1.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1030, art. 3