The legislation does not define this. What constitutes reasonable public access will depend on the facts of each case and the law and practice applying when each exemption was agreed. Until 1981 access could be provided by prior appointment only if owners proved they could not display the item in a museum etc or a room open to the public. However, in 1981 following a recommendation by the Education, Science and Arts Committee, the then Government decided to allow owners a free choice between the three options. Access to tax-exempt Land is generally available to the public all year round, although access may be restricted at certain times for land management purposes.
Owners have to take specific steps to publicise arrangements for public access.
These steps may include advertising access arrangements in the local tourist office or town hall or displaying at all points of entry to the land map boards showing the agreed public access. This Act introduced a number of changes to the conditional exemption scheme. Any changes, otherwise than by agreement, must be confined to securing public access that is not confined to access only by appointment publication of owners' undertakings and any other information relating to the tax-exempt asset.