Summary and Background Part 5: Nature Conservation Orders for protection of MCZs etc: Wales Section 136: Interim orders
389.This section enables the Welsh Ministers to make interim orders to protect features where there may be reasons to designate an MCZ and where there is an urgent need to protect the feature. Orders under this section are essentially conservation orders made urgently except that they apply to areas which are not yet designated as MCZs.
390.Subsection (3) requires an interim order to identify the boundaries of the area in which the order applies.
391.Subsection (4) applies subsections (2) to (5) of section 134 to interim orders, and consequently, an interim order will be able to make any provision which could be made in an ordinary conservation order.
392.Subsection (5) provides for an interim order to remain in force for a limited period not exceeding 12 months (unless revoked). The Welsh Ministers may further extend an order (by means of a further order) made under subsection (9), thereby allowing for continued protection of the area until its status as an MCZ is settled.
393.Interim orders, being urgent by nature, require no prior consultation, but subsection (6) requires the Welsh Ministers to publish notice of the making of an interim order in Wales and subsection (7) sets out the matters to be addressed in the notification.
394.Subsection (8) requires the Welsh Ministers to keep under review the need for an interim order to remain in force.