(1)For the purposes of this Part of this Act, the Scottish Ministers may, subject to subsection (2) below, by regulations, prescribe such body (if any) as they think fit to be a conservation body.
(2)The power conferred by subsection (1) above may be exercised in relation to a body only if the object, or function, of the body (or, as the case may be, one of its objects or functions) is to preserve, or protect, for the benefit of the public—
(a)the architectural or historical characteristics of any land; or
(b)any other special characteristics of any land (including, without prejudice to the generality of this paragraph, a special characteristic derived from the flora, fauna or general appearance of any land).
(3)Where the power conferred by subsection (1) above is exercised in relation to a trust, the conservation body shall be the trustees of the trust.
(4)The Scottish Ministers may, by regulations, prescribe that such conservation body as may be specified in the regulations shall cease to be a conservation body.