ABSTRACT
This chapter explores all statute references relate to the Countryside Act 1968. The countryside provides the most extensive resource in terms of production, environmental quality and as a potential for recreation. Since the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) 1947, all subsequent planning legislation has related to land irrespective of whether it is urban or rural in character. The Countryside Commission, as from April 1999, is now re-titled the Countryside Agency. The creation of the Regional Development Agencies, which are now responsible for the rural regeneration programmes for their respective areas, resulted in a new Countryside Agency which arises from the merger of the old Countryside Commission with what is effectively the 'left-over parts' from the Rural Development Commission. National parks are areas in England and Wales which have been designated as such under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (NPACA) 1949, s 6(1), (2) and (3), because of their inherent natural beauty.
