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The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 in England

S.I. 2017/1012 · Made 30 October 2017 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 22 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 16 July 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
reg. 85B headingwords insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(6)(a)
reg. 85B(1)(a)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(6)(b)
reg. 75 headingwords insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(2)(a)
reg. 75words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(2)(b)
reg. 76 headingwords insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(3)(a)
reg. 76(1)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(3)(b)
reg. 76(6)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(3)(c)
reg. 77 headingwords insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(4)
reg. 78 headingwords insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(5)(a)
reg. 78(3)(b)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(5)(b)
reg. 111(2)(c)word substitutedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 8 para. 40(3)(b)
reg. 75(2)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 5 para. 14(2)
reg. 108(6)(a)words omitted in earlier amending provision 2023 c. 55, Sch 8 para 39(6)(a)Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 11(6)
reg. 111(1)words omitted in earlier amending provision 2023 c. 55, Sch. 8 para. 40(2)(a)Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 11(7)(a)
reg. 111(1)words substitutedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 12(2)(a)
reg. 111(1)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 12(2)(b)
reg. 111(1)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 12(3)(a)
reg. 111(1)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 12(3)(b)
reg. 111(1)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 12(3)(c)
reg. 111(2)(aa)omitted in earlier amending provision 2023 c. 55, Sch. 8 para. 39(3)(a)Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 11(7)(b)
reg. 111(2)(c)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 12(4)(a)
reg. 111(2)(ca)-(cc)insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 2 para. 12(4)(b)

Wildlife

Countryside

Made 30th October 2017

Laid before Parliament 31st October 2017

Laid before the National Assembly for Wales 31st October 2017

Coming into force 30th November 2017

M1M2M3The Secretary of State is designated for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 in relation to the environment, and the Welsh Ministers are designated for those purposes in relation to the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

M4M5The Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers make these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred on them by section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 and paragraph 1A of Schedule 2 to that Act , and by section 307(3) and (5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 .

These Regulations make provision for a purpose mentioned in section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 and it appears to the Secretary of State and to the Welsh Ministers that it is expedient for any reference in these Regulations to an Annex to Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora M6 to be construed as a reference to that Annex as amended from time to time.C1

Annotations to the whole text

Marginal citations

M1

S.I. 2008/301.

M2

1972 c. 68. Section 2(2) was amended by the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51), section 27(1); and the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 (c. 7), Part 1 of the Schedule.

M3

S.I. 2002/248. The designation is subject to the exceptions set out in Schedule 2 to that Order. The functions conferred on the National Assembly for Wales by means of that Order are now exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, by virtue of paragraph 30 of Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32).

M4

Paragraph 1A of Schedule 2 was inserted by the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006, section 28. It was amended by the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008, Part 1 of the Schedule, and by S.I. 2007/1388.

M5

2003 c. 44. Section 307(3) and (5) was amended by S.I. 2011/1043.

M6

OJ No. L 206, 22.7.1992, p.7, as last amended by Council Directive 2013/17/EU (OJ No. L 158, 10.6.2013, p.193).

Modifications

C1

Regulations: power to amend conferred (24.1.2022) by Environment Act 2021 (c. 30), ss. 112, 147(3) (with s. 144); S.I. 2022/48, reg. 2(p)

Contents

  1. Part 1: Introductory and General Provisions
  2. 1Citation and commencement
  3. 2Extent
  4. 3Interpretation
  5. 4Plans or projects relating to offshore marine area or offshore marine installations
  6. 5Nature conservation bodies
  7. 6Relevant authorities in relation to marine areas and European marine sites
  8. 7Competent authorities
  9. 8European sites and European marine sites
  10. 9Duties relating to compliance with the Directives
  11. 10Duties in relation to wild bird habitat
  12. 11Review by appropriate nature conservation body
  13. Part 2: Conservation of Natural Habitats and Habitats of Species
  14. European sites
  15. 12Duty to designate special areas of conservation
  16. 13Priorities for designating special areas of conservation
  17. 14Consultation as to inclusion of site omitted from the list Repealed
  18. 15Classification of sites as special protection areas
  19. 16Notification of a proposal to classify a special protection area
  20. Register of European sites
  21. 17Register of European sites
  22. 18Notification of changes to the register
  23. 19Notice to landowners and other bodies
  24. Management agreements
  25. 20Management agreements
  26. 21Existing agreements
  27. 22Certain payments under management agreements
  28. Control of potentially damaging operations
  29. 23Notification of potentially damaging operations
  30. 24Assessment of implications for European sites and certain Ramsar sites
  31. 25Sites of special scientific interest which become European sites or Ramsar sites: duty to review
  32. 26Farm capital grants
  33. Special nature conservation orders
  34. 27Power to make special nature conservation order
  35. 28Restriction on carrying out operations specified in order
  36. 29Assessment of implications for European sites after service of stop notice
  37. 30Compensation for effect of stop notice
  38. 31Restoration orders
  39. Byelaws
  40. 32Power to make byelaws
  41. 33Byelaws: supplementary provisions
  42. 34Compensation for effect of byelaws
  43. 35Continuation in force of existing byelaws
  44. Powers of compulsory acquisition
  45. 36Powers of compulsory acquisition
  46. European marine sites
  47. 37Marking of site and advice by nature conservation bodies
  48. 38Management scheme for European marine site
  49. 39Direction to establish or amend management scheme
  50. 40European marine sites: byelaws and orders
  51. Nature conservation policy in planning contexts
  52. 41Nature conservation policy in planning contexts
  53. Part 3: Protection of species
  54. Protection of animals
  55. 42European protected species of animals
  56. 43Protection of certain wild animals: offences
  57. 44Protection of certain wild animals: defences
  58. 45Prohibition of certain methods of capturing or killing wild animals
  59. Protection of plants
  60. 46European protected species of plants
  61. 47Protection of certain wild plants: offences
  62. 48Protection of certain wild plants: defences
  63. Interpretation of Part 3
  64. 49Interpretation of Part 3
  65. Part 4: Additional protection of habitats and wild animals and plants
  66. Surveillance and monitoring
  67. 50Surveillance of conservation status of habitats and species
  68. 51Protection of certain animals and plants from exploitation
  69. 52Monitoring of incidental capture and killing
  70. 53Protection from incidental capture and killing
  71. Introduction of new species
  72. 54Introduction of new species from ships
  73. Part 5: Licences
  74. Grant of licences
  75. 55Licences for certain activities relating to animals or plants
  76. 56Licences for the introduction of new species
  77. 57Licences: general provisions
  78. Relevant licensing body
  79. 58Relevant licensing body
  80. Offences
  81. 59False statements made for obtaining licence
  82. 60Offence of breaching licence condition
  83. Part 6: Assessment of plans and projects
  84. Chapter 1: General provisions
  85. Introductory provisions
  86. 61Interpretation of Part 6
  87. 62Application of provisions of Chapter 1
  88. General provisions for protection of European sites, European offshore marine sites and certain Ramsar sites
  89. 63Assessment of implications for European sites , European offshore marine sites and certain Ramsar sites
  90. 64Considerations of overriding public interest
  91. 65Review of existing decisions and consents
  92. 66Consideration on review
  93. 67Co-ordination where more than one competent authority involved
  94. 68Compensatory measures
  95. 68ZACompensatory measures: relevant offshore wind plans or projects
  96. 69Modifications of regulations 63 to 68 in certain cases
  97. Chapter 2: Planning
  98. Planning permission
  99. 70Grant of planning permission
  100. 71Planning permission: duty to review
  101. 72Planning permission: consideration on review
  102. 73Planning permission: effect of orders made on review
  103. 74Planning permission: compensation
  104. General development orders
  105. 75General development orders
  106. 76General development orders: opinion of appropriate nature conservation body
  107. 77General development orders: approval of local planning authority
  108. 78General development orders: supplementary
  109. Special development orders
  110. 79Special development orders
  111. Local development orders
  112. 80Local development orders
  113. Neighbourhood development orders
  114. 81Neighbourhood development orders
  115. Simplified planning zones and enterprise zones
  116. 82Simplified planning zones
  117. 83Enterprise zones
  118. Development consent under Planning Act 2008
  119. 84Grant of development consent
  120. 85Development consent: review
  121. 85AAssumptions to be made about nutrient pollution standards: general
  122. 85BAssumptions to be made about nutrient pollution standards: general development orders
  123. 85CDirection that assumptions are not to apply
  124. 85DRegulations 85A to 85C: interpretation
  125. Interpretation of Chapter 2
  126. 86Interpretation of Chapter 2
  127. Chapter 3: Highways and roads
  128. 87Construction or improvement of highways or roads
  129. 88Cycle tracks and other ancillary works
  130. Chapter 4: Electricity
  131. 89Consents under Electricity Act 1989: application of assessment and review provisions
  132. 90Consents under Electricity Act 1989: procedure on review
  133. 91Consents under Electricity Act 1989: effect of review
  134. 92Consents under Electricity Act 1989: compensation
  135. Chapter 5: Pipe-lines
  136. 93Authorisations under Pipe-lines Act 1962: application of assessment and review provisions
  137. 94Authorisations under Pipe-lines Act 1962: procedure on review
  138. 95Authorisations under Pipe-lines Act 1962: effect of review
  139. 96Authorisations under Pipe-lines Act 1962: compensation
  140. Chapter 6: Transport and Works
  141. 97Orders under Transport and Works Act 1992: application of assessment and review provisions
  142. 98Orders under Transport and Works Act 1992: procedure on review
  143. 99Orders under Transport and Works Act 1992: effect of review
  144. 100Orders under Transport and Works Act 1992: compensation
  145. Chapter 7: Environmental Controls
  146. 101Environmental permits
  147. 102Abstraction and works authorised under water legislation
  148. 103Marine works
  149. 104Derogations in relation to nitrate pollution prevention legislation
  150. Chapter 8: Land Use Plans
  151. Land use plans
  152. 105Assessment of implications for European sites , European offshore marine sites and certain Ramsar sites
  153. 106Assessment of implications for European sites and Ramsar sites: neighbourhood development plans
  154. 107Considerations of overriding public interest
  155. 108Co-ordination for land use plan prepared by more than one authority
  156. 109Compensatory measures
  157. Planning Act 2008
  158. 110National policy statements
  159. 110AAssessments under this Chapter: required assumptions
  160. 110BDirection that assumptions are not to apply
  161. 110CRegulations 110A and 110B: interpretation
  162. Interpretation of Chapter 8
  163. 111Interpretation of Chapter 8
  164. Chapter 9: MARINE POLICY STATEMENTS AND MARINE PLANS
  165. 112Marine policy statement
  166. 113Marine plan
  167. Part 7: Enforcement
  168. Wildlife inspectors
  169. 114Wildlife inspectors
  170. Powers of entry
  171. 115Powers of entry: constables
  172. 116Powers of entry: wildlife inspectors
  173. 117Powers of entry: other authorised persons
  174. Powers of search etc.
  175. 118Constables' powers of search, etc.
  176. Powers in relation to specimens and samples
  177. 119Powers in relation to samples: constables
  178. 120Powers in relation to specimens and samples: wildlife inspectors
  179. 121Restrictions on taking samples from live specimens
  180. Offences
  181. 122Attempts and possession of means of committing offence
  182. 123Obstruction of persons exercising powers of entry under regulation 117
  183. 124Obstruction in connection with constables' powers to take samples
  184. 125Offences in connection with wildlife inspectors' enforcement powers
  185. Codes of practice
  186. 126Codes of practice
  187. Miscellaneous
  188. 127Advice and assistance from nature conservation bodies
  189. 128Forfeiture
  190. 129Proceedings for offences: venue and time limits
  191. 130Offences by bodies corporate etc.
  192. 131Application of criminal offences to the Crown
  193. Interpretation of Part 7
  194. 132Interpretation of Part 7
  195. Part 8: Final Provisions
  196. 133Powers of drainage authorities
  197. 134Advisory role of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  198. 135Advisory role of Natural England, the Natural Resources Body for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage
  199. 136Research
  200. 137Local inquiries
  201. 138Notices
  202. 139Consequential Amendments
  203. 140Revocations
  204. 141Transitional provisions
  205. 142Review: England
  206. Signature
  207. Schedule 1: Special Nature Conservation Orders: Procedure
  208. 1Coming into operation
  209. 2Publicity for orders
  210. 3Unopposed orders
  211. 4Opposed orders
  212. 5Restriction on power to amend orders or confirm them with modifications
  213. 6Notice of final decision on order
  214. 7Proceedings for questioning validity of orders
  215. 8Interpretation
  216. Schedule 2European Protected Species of animals
  217. Schedule 3Excluded populations of certain species
  218. Schedule 4Animals which may not be captured or killed in certain ways.
  219. 1Paragraph 1
  220. 2Paragraph 2
  221. 3Paragraph 3
  222. Schedule 5European Protected Species of plants
  223. Schedule 6: Consequential Amendments
  224. Part 1: Primary Legislation
  225. 1Harbours Act 1964
  226. 2Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967
  227. 3Conservation of Seals Act 1970
  228. 4Highways Act 1980
  229. 5Town and Country Planning Act 1990
  230. 6Planning Act 2008
  231. 7Constitutional Reform Act 2005
  232. 8Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
  233. Part 2: Subordinate Legislation
  234. 9Public Gas Transporter Pipe-Line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999
  235. 10Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) Regulations 1999
  236. 11Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999
  237. 12Pipe-line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2000
  238. 13Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001
  239. 14Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003
  240. 15Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2006
  241. 16Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (Wales) Regulations 2009
  242. 17Marine Management Organisation (Prescription of Powers to Fix Fees and Charges) Order 2010
  243. 18Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010 Repealed
  244. 19Marine Strategy Regulations 2010
  245. 20Port of Bristol (Deep Sea Container Terminal) Harbour Revision Order 2010
  246. 21Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order 2011
  247. 22Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) (Wales) Order 2011
  248. 23Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2011
  249. 24Associated British Ports (Grimsby Riverside Ro-Ro Terminal) Harbour Revision Order 2011
  250. 25The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011
  251. 26Localism Act 2011 (Infrastructure Planning) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012
  252. 27Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012
  253. 28Hinkley Point Harbour Empowerment Order 2012
  254. 29Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm Order 2013
  255. 30Lancashire County Council (Torrisholme to the M6 Link (A683 Completion of Heysham to M6 Link Road)) Order 2013
  256. 31The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013
  257. 32Galloper Wind Farm Order 2013
  258. 33Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) Regulations 2013
  259. 34Marine Licensing (Application Fees) Regulations 2014
  260. 35Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 2014
  261. 36Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014
  262. 37A556 (Knutsford to Bowdon Improvement) Development Consent Order 2014
  263. 38Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm Order 2014
  264. 39Central Bedfordshire Council (Woodside Link Houghton Regis) Development Consent Order 2014
  265. 40Associated British Ports (Fisher Fleet Quay) Harbour Revision Order 2014
  266. 41Able Marine Energy Park Development Consent Order 2014
  267. 42Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014
  268. 43Keeping and Introduction of Fish (Wales) Regulations 2014
  269. 44Willington C Gas Pipeline Order 2014
  270. 45Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015
  271. 46A160/A180 (Port of Immingham Improvement) Development Consent Order 2015
  272. 47Cornwall Council (A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement) Order 2015
  273. 48Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015
  274. 49Infrastructure Act 2015 (Strategic Highways Companies) (Consequential, Transitional and Savings Provisions) Regulations 2015
  275. 50Infrastructure Planning (Interested Parties and Miscellaneous Prescribed Provisions) Regulations 2015
  276. 51Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015
  277. 52Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015
  278. 53Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015
  279. 54Knottingley Power Plant Order 2015
  280. 55Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (England) Regulations 2015
  281. 56White Moss Landfill Order 2015
  282. 57Norfolk County Council (Norwich Northern Distributor Road (A1067 to A47(T))) Order 2015
  283. 58Poole Harbour (Works) Revision Order 2015
  284. 59Preesall Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2015
  285. 60Progress Power (Gas Fired Power Station) Order 2015
  286. 61Dogger Bank Teeside A and B Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015
  287. 62Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 Power Station Order 2015
  288. 63Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2015
  289. 64A19/A1058 Coast Road (Junction Improvement) Development Consent Order 2016
  290. 65Palm Paper Mill Generating Station Order 2016
  291. 66Thorpe Marsh Gas Pipeline Order 2016
  292. 67A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme Development Consent Order 2016
  293. 68Fal Fishery Order 2016
  294. 69York Potash Harbour Facilities Order 2016
  295. 70River Humber Gas Pipeline Replacement Order 2016
  296. 71Triton Knoll Electrical System Order 2016
  297. 72M4 Motorway (Junctions 3 to 12) (Smart Motorway) Development Consent Order 2016
  298. 73Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
  299. 74Economic Growth (Regulatory Functions) Order 2017
  300. 75Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017
  301. 76Keuper Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2017
  302. 77Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Wales) Regulations 2017
  303. 78Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017
  304. 79Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017
  305. 80Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017
  306. 81Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017
  307. Schedule 7Revocations
  308. Explanatory note