# The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, Regulation 2: Amendments to the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995

Extent: N.I.

(1) The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 6, after paragraph (9) add—
“(10) Where a site which is designated under paragraph (1) is a European Site, the Department may not designate that site without the agreement of the Secretary of State.”.
(3) In regulation 8A(6), for subparagraph (b), substitute—
“(b) where a site which is classified under paragraph (1) is a European marine site, the Department may not classify that site without the consent of the Secretary of State.”.
(4) Omit regulation 8B(5).
(5) Omit Regulation 9A(5).
(6) In regulation 28, in each place where it occurs (including in the heading), for “Secretary of State” substitute “Department”.
(7) In regulation 29—
(a) in paragraph (1), omit “, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development”;
(b) omit paragraph (4).
(8) In regulation30(1) and (3), for “The Secretary of State, or persons authorised on his behalf,” substitute “The Department or persons authorised on its behalf”.
(9) In regulation 30(2)—
(a) in each place where it occurs, for “Secretary of State” substitute “Department”.
(b) omit subparagraph (d).
(10) Omit regulation 36A(4).
(11) In regulation 66(1) omit “or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State”.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2026/116/regulation/2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/conservation-natural-habitats-etc-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/regulation-2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.