http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/section/84/2016-05-21Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000An Act to make new provision for public access to the countryside; to amend the law relating to public rights of way; to enable traffic regulation orders to be made for the purpose of conserving an area’s natural beauty; to make provision with respect to the driving of mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads; to amend the law relating to nature conservation and the protection of wildlife; to make further provision with respect to areas of outstanding natural beauty; and for connected purposes.2000-12-07texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-03-18Expert Participation2016-05-21 Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 55ADeregulation Act 2015s. 20s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 56ADeregulation Act 2015s. 21s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000s. 56BDeregulation Act 2015s. 22(1)s. 115(7)Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000Blanket amendmentThe Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011art. 3 4art. 3(2)art. 3(3) 4(2) 6(4)(5)art. 2 Part IV841The following provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (in this Part referred to as “the 1949 Act”)—asection 6(4)(e) (duty of Natural England or NRBW to give advice in connection with development matters),bsection 9 (consultation in connection with development plan),csection 64(5) (consultation in connection with access agreements), anddsection 65(5) and (5A) (consultation in connection with access orders),apply in relation to areas of outstanding natural beauty as they apply in relation to National Parks.2In section 6(4)(e) of the 1949 Act as it applies by virtue of subsection (1), “appropriate planning authority” means a local planning authority whose area consists of or includes the whole or any part of an area of outstanding natural beauty and includes a local authority, not being a local planning authority, by whom any powers of a local planning authority as respects an area of outstanding natural beauty are exercisable, whether under the 1949 Act or otherwise.3Section 4A of the 1949 Act (which confers on the NRBW functions under Part II of that Act corresponding to those exercisable as respects England by Natural England) applies to the provisions mentioned in subsection (1)(a) and (b) for the purposes of their application to areas of outstanding natural beauty as that section applies for the purposes of Part II of the 1949 Act.4A local planning authority whose area consists of or includes the whole or any part of an area of outstanding natural beauty has power, subject to subsections (5) and (6), to take all such action as appears to them expedient for the accomplishment of the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area of outstanding natural beauty or so much of it as is included in their area.5Nothing in this Part is to be taken to limit the generality of subsection (4); but in so far as the provisions of this Part or of the 1949 Act confer specific powers falling within that subsection those powers are to be exercised in accordance with those provisions and subject to any limitations expressed or implied in them.6Without prejudice to the powers conferred by this Part, subsection (4) has effect only for the purpose of removing any limitation imposed by law on the capacity of a local planning authority by virtue of its constitution, and does not authorise any act or omission on the part of such an authority which apart from that subsection would be actionable at the suit of any person on any ground other than such a limitation.7In this section “local planning authority” has the same meaning as in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.Pt. IV (ss. 82-93) wholly in force at 1.5.2001; Pt. IV not in force at Royal Assent see s. 103(3); Pt. IV in force for E. at 1.4.2001 by S.I. 2001/114, art. 2(2)(e); Pt. IV in force at 1.5.2001 by S.I. 2001/1410, art. 2(g)1949 c. 97. 1990 c. 8. Words in s. 84(1)(a) substituted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), s. 107, Sch. 11 para. 164(b); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)Words in s. 84(3) substituted (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), s. 107, Sch. 11 para. 164(b); S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)Words in s. 84 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 408 (with Sch. 7)