83.This section gives the Secretary of State power to give general or specific directions to Natural England and requires that those directions be published. Subsection (2) provides that the direction-giving power does not apply to functions that Natural England exercises through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (The Secretary of State has a separate power to give directions to that committee under section 38. See further below.)
84.Natural England must comply with directions given under this section.
Commentary on Sections Part 1: Natural England and the Commission for Rural Communities Powers of Secretary of State Section 16: Directions