5Environmental assessments: public authorities’ duties(1)

A public authority must, for the purpose of contributing to the environmental objective—

(a)

have regard to the environmental principles when carrying out functions specified in subsection (2), and

(b)

integrate environmental protection into the carrying out of those functions.

(2)

The functions are any functions in connection with the assessment of plans and programmes relating solely to Wales or to any part of Wales under the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1656 (W. 170)) or any corresponding provision replacing those Regulations.

(3)

In complying with the duty in subsection (1), a public authority must have regard to guidance included in the environmental principles and integrating environmental protection statement or revised statement published under section‍ 7.

(4)

In this section and section 6, “public authority” means a person, other than the Welsh Ministers or Natural Resources Wales, who is—

(a)

a devolved Welsh authority within the meaning given by section 157A of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), or

(b)

listed in paragraph 9(2) or (6) of Schedule 7B to that Act.