OpenLegislation

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

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(1)(a)words insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(6)(b)
reg. 111(2)(c)word substitutedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 8 para. 40(3)(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. 85B headingwords insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 9 para. 4(6)(a)
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(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(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)(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)
reg. 75(2)words insertedPlanning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Sch. 5 para. 14(2)

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. 3AInterpretation: the Directives
  6. 4Plans or projects relating to offshore marine area or offshore marine installations
  7. 5Nature conservation bodies
  8. 6Relevant authorities in relation to marine areas and European marine sites
  9. 7Competent authorities
  10. 8European sites and European marine sites
  11. 9Duties relating to compliance with the Directives
  12. 9AReports
  13. 10Duties in relation to wild bird habitat
  14. 11Review by appropriate nature conservation body
  15. Part 2: Conservation of Natural Habitats and Habitats of Species
  16. European sites
  17. 12Duty to designate special areas of conservation
  18. 13Priorities for designating special areas of conservation
  19. 14Consultation as to inclusion of site omitted from the list Repealed
  20. 15Classification of sites as special protection areas
  21. 16Notification of a proposal to classify a special protection area
  22. 16AManagement objectives of the national site network
  23. Register of European sites
  24. 17Register of European sites
  25. 18Notification of changes to the register
  26. 19Notice to landowners and other bodies
  27. Management agreements
  28. 20Management agreements
  29. 21Existing agreements
  30. 22Certain payments under management agreements
  31. Control of potentially damaging operations
  32. 23Notification of potentially damaging operations
  33. 24Assessment of implications for European sites and certain Ramsar sites
  34. 25Sites of special scientific interest which become European sites or Ramsar sites: duty to review
  35. 26Farm capital grants
  36. Special nature conservation orders
  37. 27Power to make special nature conservation order
  38. 28Restriction on carrying out operations specified in order
  39. 29Assessment of implications for European sites after service of stop notice
  40. 30Compensation for effect of stop notice
  41. 31Restoration orders
  42. Byelaws
  43. 32Power to make byelaws
  44. 33Byelaws: supplementary provisions
  45. 34Compensation for effect of byelaws
  46. 35Continuation in force of existing byelaws
  47. Powers of compulsory acquisition
  48. 36Powers of compulsory acquisition
  49. European marine sites
  50. 37Marking of site and advice by nature conservation bodies
  51. 38Management scheme for European marine site
  52. 39Direction to establish or amend management scheme
  53. 40European marine sites: byelaws and orders
  54. Nature conservation policy in planning contexts
  55. 41Nature conservation policy in planning contexts
  56. Part 3: Protection of species
  57. Protection of animals
  58. 42European protected species of animals
  59. 43Protection of certain wild animals: offences
  60. 44Protection of certain wild animals: defences
  61. 45Prohibition of certain methods of capturing or killing wild animals
  62. Protection of plants
  63. 46European protected species of plants
  64. 47Protection of certain wild plants: offences
  65. 48Protection of certain wild plants: defences
  66. Interpretation of Part 3
  67. 49Interpretation of Part 3
  68. Part 4: Additional protection of habitats and wild animals and plants
  69. Surveillance and monitoring
  70. 50Surveillance of conservation status of habitats and species
  71. 51Protection of certain animals and plants from exploitation
  72. 52Monitoring of incidental capture and killing
  73. 53Protection from incidental capture and killing
  74. Introduction of new species
  75. 54Introduction of new species from ships
  76. Part 5: Licences
  77. Grant of licences
  78. 55Licences for certain activities relating to animals or plants
  79. 56Licences for the introduction of new species
  80. 57Licences: general provisions
  81. Relevant licensing body
  82. 58Relevant licensing body
  83. Offences
  84. 59False statements made for obtaining licence
  85. 60Offence of breaching licence condition
  86. Part 6: Assessment of plans and projects
  87. Chapter 1: General provisions
  88. Introductory provisions
  89. 61Interpretation of Part 6
  90. 62Application of provisions of Chapter 1
  91. General provisions for protection of European sites, European offshore marine sites and certain Ramsar sites
  92. 63Assessment of implications for European sites , European offshore marine sites and certain Ramsar sites
  93. 64Considerations of overriding public interest
  94. 65Review of existing decisions and consents
  95. 66Consideration on review
  96. 67Co-ordination where more than one competent authority involved
  97. 68Compensatory measures
  98. 68ACompensatory measures for relevant offshore wind activity in the Scottish inshore region
  99. 68ZACompensatory measures: relevant offshore wind plans or projects
  100. 69Modifications of regulations 63 to 68 in certain cases
  101. Chapter 2: Planning
  102. Planning permission
  103. 70Grant of planning permission
  104. 71Planning permission: duty to review
  105. 72Planning permission: consideration on review
  106. 73Planning permission: effect of orders made on review
  107. 74Planning permission: compensation
  108. General development orders
  109. 75General development orders
  110. 76General development orders: opinion of appropriate nature conservation body
  111. 77General development orders: approval of local planning authority
  112. 78General development orders: supplementary
  113. Special development orders
  114. 79Special development orders
  115. Local development orders
  116. 80Local development orders
  117. Neighbourhood development orders
  118. 81Neighbourhood development orders
  119. Simplified planning zones and enterprise zones
  120. 82Simplified planning zones
  121. 83Enterprise zones
  122. Development consent under Planning Act 2008
  123. 84Grant of development consent
  124. 85Development consent: review
  125. 85AAssumptions to be made about nutrient pollution standards: general
  126. 85BAssumptions to be made about nutrient pollution standards: general development orders
  127. 85CDirection that assumptions are not to apply
  128. 85DRegulations 85A to 85C: interpretation
  129. Interpretation of Chapter 2
  130. 86Interpretation of Chapter 2
  131. Chapter 3: Highways and roads
  132. 87Construction or improvement of highways or roads
  133. 88Cycle tracks and other ancillary works
  134. Chapter 4: Electricity
  135. 89Consents under Electricity Act 1989: application of assessment and review provisions
  136. 90Consents under Electricity Act 1989: procedure on review
  137. 91Consents under Electricity Act 1989: effect of review
  138. 92Consents under Electricity Act 1989: compensation
  139. Chapter 5: Pipe-lines
  140. 93Authorisations under Pipe-lines Act 1962: application of assessment and review provisions
  141. 94Authorisations under Pipe-lines Act 1962: procedure on review
  142. 95Authorisations under Pipe-lines Act 1962: effect of review
  143. 96Authorisations under Pipe-lines Act 1962: compensation
  144. Chapter 6: Transport and Works
  145. 97Orders under Transport and Works Act 1992: application of assessment and review provisions
  146. 98Orders under Transport and Works Act 1992: procedure on review
  147. 99Orders under Transport and Works Act 1992: effect of review
  148. 100Orders under Transport and Works Act 1992: compensation
  149. Chapter 7: Environmental Controls
  150. 101Environmental permits
  151. 102Abstraction and works authorised under water legislation
  152. 103Marine works
  153. 104Derogations in relation to nitrate pollution prevention legislation
  154. Chapter 8: Land Use Plans
  155. Land use plans
  156. 105Assessment of implications for European sites , European offshore marine sites and certain Ramsar sites
  157. 106Assessment of implications for European sites and Ramsar sites: neighbourhood development plans
  158. 107Considerations of overriding public interest
  159. 108Co-ordination for land use plan prepared by more than one authority
  160. 109Compensatory measures
  161. Planning Act 2008
  162. 110National policy statements
  163. 110AAssessments under this Chapter: required assumptions
  164. 110BDirection that assumptions are not to apply
  165. 110CRegulations 110A and 110B: interpretation
  166. Interpretation of Chapter 8
  167. 111Interpretation of Chapter 8
  168. Chapter 9: MARINE POLICY STATEMENTS AND MARINE PLANS
  169. 112Marine policy statement
  170. 113Marine plan
  171. Part 7: Enforcement
  172. Wildlife inspectors
  173. 114Wildlife inspectors
  174. Powers of entry
  175. 115Powers of entry: constables
  176. 116Powers of entry: wildlife inspectors
  177. 117Powers of entry: other authorised persons
  178. Powers of search etc.
  179. 118Constables' powers of search, etc.
  180. Powers in relation to specimens and samples
  181. 119Powers in relation to samples: constables
  182. 120Powers in relation to specimens and samples: wildlife inspectors
  183. 121Restrictions on taking samples from live specimens
  184. Offences
  185. 122Attempts and possession of means of committing offence
  186. 123Obstruction of persons exercising powers of entry under regulation 117
  187. 124Obstruction in connection with constables' powers to take samples
  188. 125Offences in connection with wildlife inspectors' enforcement powers
  189. Codes of practice
  190. 126Codes of practice
  191. Miscellaneous
  192. 127Advice and assistance from nature conservation bodies
  193. 128Forfeiture
  194. 129Proceedings for offences: venue and time limits
  195. 130Offences by bodies corporate etc.
  196. 131Application of criminal offences to the Crown
  197. Interpretation of Part 7
  198. 132Interpretation of Part 7
  199. Part 8: Final Provisions
  200. 133Powers of drainage authorities
  201. 134Advisory role of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  202. 135Advisory role of Natural England, the Natural Resources Body for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage
  203. 136Research
  204. 137Local inquiries
  205. 138Notices
  206. 139Consequential Amendments
  207. 140Revocations
  208. 141Transitional provisions
  209. 141ATransitional provisions: EU exit
  210. 142Review: England
  211. 143Amendment of Schedules
  212. 144Amendment of the Annexes to the Directives
  213. 145Statutory instruments
  214. Signature
  215. Schedule 1: Special Nature Conservation Orders: Procedure
  216. 1Coming into operation
  217. 2Publicity for orders
  218. 3Unopposed orders
  219. 4Opposed orders
  220. 5Restriction on power to amend orders or confirm them with modifications
  221. 6Notice of final decision on order
  222. 7Proceedings for questioning validity of orders
  223. 8Interpretation
  224. Schedule 2European Protected Species of animals
  225. Schedule 3Excluded populations of certain species
  226. Schedule 4Animals which may not be captured or killed in certain ways.
  227. Schedule 4A: Prohibited Methods of Capturing or Killing Wild Animals
  228. 1Paragraph 1
  229. 2Paragraph 2
  230. 3Paragraph 3
  231. Schedule 5European Protected Species of plants
  232. Schedule 6: Consequential Amendments
  233. Part 1: Primary Legislation
  234. 1Harbours Act 1964
  235. 2Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967
  236. 3Conservation of Seals Act 1970
  237. 4Highways Act 1980
  238. 5Town and Country Planning Act 1990
  239. 6Planning Act 2008
  240. 7Constitutional Reform Act 2005
  241. 8Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
  242. Part 2: Subordinate Legislation
  243. 9Public Gas Transporter Pipe-Line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999
  244. 10Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) Regulations 1999
  245. 11Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999
  246. 12Pipe-line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2000
  247. 13Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001
  248. 14Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003
  249. 15Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2006
  250. 16Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (Wales) Regulations 2009
  251. 17Marine Management Organisation (Prescription of Powers to Fix Fees and Charges) Order 2010
  252. 18Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010 Repealed
  253. 19Marine Strategy Regulations 2010
  254. 20Port of Bristol (Deep Sea Container Terminal) Harbour Revision Order 2010
  255. 21Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) Order 2011
  256. 22Marine Licensing (Exempted Activities) (Wales) Order 2011
  257. 23Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2011
  258. 24Associated British Ports (Grimsby Riverside Ro-Ro Terminal) Harbour Revision Order 2011
  259. 25The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011
  260. 26Localism Act 2011 (Infrastructure Planning) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2012
  261. 27Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012
  262. 28Hinkley Point Harbour Empowerment Order 2012
  263. 29Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm Order 2013
  264. 30Lancashire County Council (Torrisholme to the M6 Link (A683 Completion of Heysham to M6 Link Road)) Order 2013
  265. 31The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013
  266. 32Galloper Wind Farm Order 2013
  267. 33Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) Regulations 2013
  268. 34Marine Licensing (Application Fees) Regulations 2014
  269. 35Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 2014
  270. 36Rampion Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014
  271. 37A556 (Knutsford to Bowdon Improvement) Development Consent Order 2014
  272. 38Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm Order 2014
  273. 39Central Bedfordshire Council (Woodside Link Houghton Regis) Development Consent Order 2014
  274. 40Associated British Ports (Fisher Fleet Quay) Harbour Revision Order 2014
  275. 41Able Marine Energy Park Development Consent Order 2014
  276. 42Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014
  277. 43Keeping and Introduction of Fish (Wales) Regulations 2014
  278. 44Willington C Gas Pipeline Order 2014
  279. 45Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015
  280. 46A160/A180 (Port of Immingham Improvement) Development Consent Order 2015
  281. 47Cornwall Council (A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement) Order 2015
  282. 48Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015
  283. 49Infrastructure Act 2015 (Strategic Highways Companies) (Consequential, Transitional and Savings Provisions) Regulations 2015
  284. 50Infrastructure Planning (Interested Parties and Miscellaneous Prescribed Provisions) Regulations 2015
  285. 51Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015
  286. 52Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015
  287. 53Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015
  288. 54Knottingley Power Plant Order 2015
  289. 55Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (England) Regulations 2015
  290. 56White Moss Landfill Order 2015
  291. 57Norfolk County Council (Norwich Northern Distributor Road (A1067 to A47(T))) Order 2015
  292. 58Poole Harbour (Works) Revision Order 2015
  293. 59Preesall Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2015
  294. 60Progress Power (Gas Fired Power Station) Order 2015
  295. 61Dogger Bank Teeside A and B Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015
  296. 62Ferrybridge Multifuel 2 Power Station Order 2015
  297. 63Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2015
  298. 64A19/A1058 Coast Road (Junction Improvement) Development Consent Order 2016
  299. 65Palm Paper Mill Generating Station Order 2016
  300. 66Thorpe Marsh Gas Pipeline Order 2016
  301. 67A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme Development Consent Order 2016
  302. 68Fal Fishery Order 2016
  303. 69York Potash Harbour Facilities Order 2016
  304. 70River Humber Gas Pipeline Replacement Order 2016
  305. 71Triton Knoll Electrical System Order 2016
  306. 72M4 Motorway (Junctions 3 to 12) (Smart Motorway) Development Consent Order 2016
  307. 73Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
  308. 74Economic Growth (Regulatory Functions) Order 2017
  309. 75Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017
  310. 76Keuper Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2017
  311. 77Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Wales) Regulations 2017
  312. 78Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017
  313. 79Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017
  314. 80Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017
  315. 81Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017
  316. Schedule 7Revocations
  317. Explanatory note