OpenLegislation

The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994

S.I. 1994/2716 · Made 20 October 1994 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 10 October 2026.

WILDLIFE

COUNTRYSIDE

Made 20th October 1994

Coming into force 30th October 1994

The Secretary of State for the Environment, as respects England, the Secretary of State for Wales, as respects Wales, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, as respects Scotland, being designatedf1 Ministers for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972f2 in relation to measures relating to the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, in exercise of the powers conferred upon them by the said section 2 and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby make the following Regulations, a draft of which has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament:–C1C2C3C4

Annotations to the whole text

Textual amendments

F1

Regulations revoked (E.W.) (1.4.2010 except so far as relating to the revocation in relation to W. of reg. 36 and specified words in reg. 3(3), 12.12.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/490), regs. 1(2)(4)(b), 133(3) (with regs. 125, 134)

Modifications

C1

Regulations applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1995/2803, Sch. 5 para. 20 (as inserted (E.W.) (1.4.1996) by The National Park Authorities (Wales) (Amendment) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/534), art. 1, Sch. para. 2)

C2

Regulations: certain functions transferred (1.7.1999 immediately after the coming into force of Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46), s. 53) by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672), arts. 1(2), 2, Sch. 1

C3

Regulations applied (with modifications) (24.3.2005) by The New Forest National Park Authority (Establishment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/421), art. 1, Sch. 3 para. 11

C4

Regulations applied (with modifications) (12.6.2006) by The Town and Country Planning (Application of Subordinate Legislation to the Crown) (Scotland) Order 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/270), arts. 1(1), 15

Footnotes

f1

S.I. 1992/2870.

f2

1972 c. 68.

Contents

  1. Part I: INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
  2. 1Citation and commencement
  3. 2Interpretation and application
  4. 2AInterpretation: the Directives
  5. 3Duties relating to compliance with the Directives
  6. 3ZAReports
  7. 3ADuties in relation to wild bird habitat
  8. 3BReview and guidance
  9. 4Nature conservation bodies
  10. 5Relevant authorities in relation to marine areas and European marine sites
  11. 6Competent authorities generally
  12. Part II: CONSERVATION OF NATURAL HABITATS AND HABITATS OF SPECIES
  13. European sites
  14. 7Duty to designate special areas of conservation
  15. 8Priorities for designating special areas of conservation
  16. 9Consultation as to inclusion of site omitted from the list Repealed
  17. 9ASpecial protection area: classification of sites
  18. 9BSpecial protection area: notification of proposal
  19. 9CSpecial protection area: hearing and representations in respect of a proposal
  20. 9DManagement objectives of the UK site network
  21. 10Meaning of “European site” in these Regulations
  22. Register of European sites
  23. 11Duty to compile and maintain register of European sites
  24. 12Notification to appropriate nature conservation body
  25. 13Notice to landowners, relevant authorities, &c.
  26. 14Local registration: England and Wales
  27. 15Local registers: Scotland
  28. Management agreements
  29. 16Management agreements
  30. 17Continuation in force of existing agreement, &c.
  31. Control of potentially damaging operations
  32. 18Notification of potentially damaging operations
  33. 19Application of Chapters 2, 3 and 4 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act
  34. 20Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act
  35. 21Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act
  36. Special nature conservation orders
  37. 22Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act
  38. 23Restriction on carrying out operations specified in order Repealed
  39. 24Supplementary provisions as to consents Repealed
  40. 25Compensation for effect of notice Repealed
  41. 26Restoration where order contravened Repealed
  42. 27Continuation in force of existing orders, &c. Repealed
  43. 27AInterpretation Repealed
  44. Byelaws
  45. 28Power to make byelaws
  46. 29Byelaws: limitation on effect
  47. 30Compensation for effect of byelaws
  48. 31Continuation in force of existing byelaws
  49. Powers of compulsory acquisition
  50. 32Powers of compulsory acquisition Repealed
  51. Special provisions as to European marine sites
  52. 33Marking of site and advice by nature conservation bodies
  53. 34Management scheme for European marine site
  54. 35Direction to establish or amend management scheme
  55. 36Byelaws for protection of European marine site
  56. Miscellaneous
  57. 37Nature conservation policy in planning contexts
  58. 37ASurveillance of conservation status of habitats and species
  59. 37BProtection of certain animals and plants from exploitation Repealed
  60. 37CIntroduction of new species from ships Repealed
  61. 37DLicensing the introduction of new species Repealed
  62. 37EFalse statements made for obtaining a licence under regulation 37D Repealed
  63. Part III: PROTECTION OF SPECIES
  64. Protection of animals
  65. 38European protected species of animals
  66. 39Protection of wild animals of European protected species
  67. 40Exceptions from regulation 39
  68. 41Prohibition of certain methods of taking or killing wild animals
  69. 41AMonitoring incidental capture and killing
  70. 41BProtection from incidental capture and killing Repealed
  71. Protection of plants
  72. 42European protected species of plants
  73. 43Protection of certain wild plants
  74. Power to grant licences
  75. 44Grant of licences for certain purposes
  76. 44ADelegation of licence granting power: Scotland
  77. 45Licences: supplementary provisions
  78. 46False statements made for obtaining licence
  79. 46AOffence of breaching licence condition
  80. Part IV: ADAPTATION OF PLANNING AND OTHER CONTROLS
  81. Introductory
  82. 47Application of provisions of this Part
  83. General provisions for protection of European sites
  84. 48Assessment of implications for European site
  85. 48ADirections as regards plans and projects
  86. 49Considerations of overriding public interest
  87. 50Review of existing decisions and consents, &c.
  88. 51Consideration on review
  89. 52Co–ordination where more than one competent authority involved
  90. 53Compensatory measures
  91. 53ZACompensatory measures for relevant offshore wind activity
  92. 53AControl of operations requiring consent
  93. Marine licences
  94. 53BMarine licences: duty to review
  95. Planning
  96. 54Grant of planning permission
  97. 55Planning permission: duty to review
  98. 56Planning permission: consideration on review
  99. 57Effect of orders made on review: England and Wales Repealed
  100. 58Effect of orders made on review: Scotland
  101. 59Planning permission: supplementary provisions as to compensation
  102. 60General development orders
  103. 61General development orders: opinion of appropriate nature conservation body
  104. 62General development orders: approval of local planning authority
  105. 63General development orders: supplementary
  106. 64Special development orders
  107. 64ALocal development orders Repealed
  108. 65Simplified planning zones
  109. 65ASimplified planning zones and European offshore marine sites
  110. 66Enterprise zones
  111. 66AEnterprise zones and European offshore marine sites
  112. 67Simplified planning zones and enterprise zones: supplementary provisions as to compensation
  113. 67AGrant of development consent Repealed
  114. 67BDevelopment consent: review Repealed
  115. 68Interpretation
  116. Highways and roads
  117. 69Construction or improvement of highways or roads
  118. 69ACore and other paths
  119. 70Cycle tracks and other ancillary works
  120. Electricity
  121. 71Consents under Electricity Act 1989: application of general requirements Repealed
  122. 72Consents under the Electricity Act 1989: procedure on review Repealed
  123. 73Consents under Electricity Act 1989: effect of review Repealed
  124. 74Consents under Electricity Act 1989: compensation for revocation or variation Repealed
  125. Pipe–lines
  126. 75Authorisations under the Pipe–lines Act 1962: application of general requirements Repealed
  127. 76Authorisations under the Pipe–lines Act 1962: procedure on review Repealed
  128. 77Authorisations under the Pipe–lines Act 1962: effect of review Repealed
  129. 78Authorisations under the Pipe–lines Act 1962: compensation for revocation or variation Repealed
  130. Transport and works
  131. 79Orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992: application of general requirements
  132. 80Orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992: procedure on review
  133. 81Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992: effect of review
  134. 82Orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992: compensation for revocation or variation
  135. Environmental controls
  136. 83Authorisations under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Repealed
  137. 84Permits or registrations under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018
  138. 84APermits under the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012
  139. 84BAbstraction and works authorised under water legislation
  140. 84CMarine works Repealed
  141. 84DDerogations under the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008
  142. 84EDerogations under the Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) Regulations 2008 Repealed
  143. 85Discharge consents under water pollution legislation
  144. Part IVA: APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENTS FOR LAND USE PLANS
  145. 85AInterpretation
  146. 85BAssessment of implications for European site
  147. 85CConsiderations of overriding public interest
  148. 85DCo-ordination for land use plan prepared by more than one planning authority
  149. 85ECompensatory measures
  150. 85FNational Policy Statements Repealed
  151. Part V: SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
  152. Supplementary provisions as to management agreements
  153. 86Powers of limited owners, &c. to enter into management agreements
  154. Supplementary provisions as to potentially damaging operations
  155. 87Carrying out of operation after expiry of period Repealed
  156. 88Duties of agriculture Ministers with respect to European sites Repealed
  157. 89Payments under certain agreements offered by authorities Repealed
  158. 90Powers of entry Repealed
  159. 91Compensation: amount and assessment Repealed
  160. 92Compensation: other supplementary provisions Repealed
  161. 93Compensation: procedural provisions Repealed
  162. Supplementary provisions as to byelaws
  163. 94Procedure for making byelaws, penalties, &c.
  164. 95Powers of entry
  165. 96Compensation: England and Wales Repealed
  166. 97Compensation: Scotland
  167. Supplementary provisions as to compulsory acquisition
  168. 98Supplementary provisions as to acquisition of land Repealed
  169. 99Powers of entry Repealed
  170. Supplementary provisions as to protection of species
  171. 100Attempts and possession of means of committing offence
  172. 101Enforcement
  173. 101AApplication of sections 19ZC and 19ZD of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  174. 101BOffences in connection with constables’ powers to take samples Repealed
  175. 101CWildlife inspectors Repealed
  176. 101DPowers of wildlife inspectors to enter premises Repealed
  177. 101EWildlife inspectors’ powers for examining specimens and taking samples Repealed
  178. 101FOffences in connection with wildlife inspectors’ enforcement powers Repealed
  179. 101GRestrictions on taking samples from live specimens Repealed
  180. 101HCodes of practice Repealed
  181. 101IAdvice and assistance from nature conservation bodies Repealed
  182. 102Proceedings for offences: venue, time limits
  183. 103Power of court to order forfeiture
  184. 104Saving for other protective provisions
  185. 104AApplication of criminal offences to the Crown
  186. General supplementary provisions
  187. 105Powers of drainage authorities
  188. 106Offences by bodies corporate, &c.
  189. 106AApplication of criminal offences to the Crown Repealed
  190. 107Local inquiries
  191. 108Service of notices
  192. 109Advisory role of the JNCC
  193. 110Advisory role of Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage
  194. 111Research
  195. 112Transitional provisions: EU exit
  196. 113Amendment of Schedules
  197. 114Amendment of the Annexes to the Directives
  198. 115Regulations
  199. Signature
  200. Schedule 1: PROCEDURE IN CONNECTION WITH ORDERS UNDER REGULATION 22 Repealed
  201. Coming into operation Repealed
  202. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  203. Publicity for orders Repealed
  204. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  205. Unopposed orders Repealed
  206. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  207. Opposed orders Repealed
  208. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  209. Restriction on power to amend orders or confirm them with modifications Repealed
  210. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  211. Notice of final decision on order Repealed
  212. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  213. Proceedings for questioning validity of orders Repealed
  214. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  215. Interpretation Repealed
  216. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  217. Schedule 2EUROPEAN PROTECTED SPECIES OF ANIMALS
  218. Schedule 2AEXCLUDED POPULATIONS OF CERTAIN SPECIES
  219. Schedule 3ANIMALS WHICH MAY NOT BE TAKEN OR KILLED IN CERTAIN WAYS
  220. Schedule 3A: PROHIBITED METHODS OF TAKING OR KILLING WILD ANIMALS
  221. 1Paragraph 1
  222. 2Paragraph 2
  223. 3Paragraph 3
  224. Schedule 4EUROPEAN PROTECTED SPECIES OF PLANTS
  225. Explanatory note