Summary and Background Part 5: Nature Conservation Duties of public authorities Section 127: Advice and guidance by conservation bodies
364.This section confers powers and duties on the statutory nature conservation bodies (Natural England, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Countryside Council for Wales) to give advice or guidance to public authorities in respect of MCZs. Public authorities are required to have regard to this advice or guidance when carrying out their duties under sections 125 and 126. This section does not limit or restrict the matters on which the conservation bodies may advise (in accordance with their existing functions) but identifies the types of MCZ-related advice and guidance to which other provisions in this part of the Act apply (namely the duties on public authorities).
365.Subsections (1) and (2) specify the issues on which advice or guidance may be given, and allows it to be issued in respect of one or more sites, and to one or more authorities. Advice and guidance may also be issued more generally on MCZs.