Explanatory Notes

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

2006 CHAPTER 16

30 March 2006

Commentary on Sections

Part 9: Miscellaneous

Section 99: Natural beauty in the countryside

230.This section makes clear that the mere fact that land is used for agriculture, woodlands, as a park or its flora, fauna or physiographical features have been derived, in part, from human intervention in the landscape, does not prevent it from being regarded as land within an area of “natural beauty”. References to places of “natural beauty” are to be found in a range of enactments­ (not just the core enactments dealing with the establishment and maintenance of National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty). This clarification allows a broader view to be taken of the meaning of “natural beauty” than was taken in the Meyrick case mentioned above.