[F1PART IE+W+SINTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

Citation and commencementE+W+S

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.

(2) These Regulations shall come into force on the tenth day after that on which they are made.

Interpretation and applicationE+W+S

2.—(1) In these Regulations–

[F2“the 2004 Act” means the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004;]

[F3“the 2007 Regulations” means the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007;]

“agriculture Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Secretary of State;

[F4“British fishery limits” has the meaning given by the Fishery Limits Act 1976;]

“competent authority” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 6;

“destroy”, in relation to an egg, includes doing anything to the egg which is calculated to prevent it from hatching, and “destruction” shall be construed accordingly;

[F5“the Directives” means the Habitats Directive and the Wild Birds Directive;]

F6...

“enactment” includes a local enactment and an enactment contained in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978(1);

[F4“European offshore marine site” means a European offshore marine site within the meaning of regulation 15 (meaning of European offshore marine site) of the 2007 Regulations;]

“European site” has the meaning given by regulation 10 and “European marine site” means a European site which consists of, or so far as it consists of, marine areas;

“functions” includes powers and duties;

[F7“the Habitats Directive” means Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora as amended from time to time;]

[F8“land” includes buildings and other structures, land covered with water, and any right or interest in or over land;]

“livestock” includes any animal which is kept–

[F9“local authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;]

“local planning authority” means–

“management agreement” means an agreement entered into, or having effect as if entered into, under regulation 16;

“marine area” means any land covered (continuously or intermittently) by tidal waters or any part of the sea in or adjacent to Great Britain up to the seaward limit of territorial waters;

“Natura 2000” means the European network of special areas of conservation, and special protection areas under the Wild Birds Directive, provided for by Article 3(1) of the Habitats Directive;

[F10“natural feature” in relation to land means–

“nature conservation body”, and “appropriate nature conservation body” in relation to England, Wales or Scotland, have the meaning given by regulation 4;

[F4“the offshore marine area” means—

[F4“offshore marine installation” means any artificial island, installation or structure (other than a ship) which is situated—

“planning authority”, in Scotland, means a planning authority within the meaning of section 172(1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973;

“the register” means the register of European sites in Great Britain provided for by regulation 11;

“relevant authorities”, in relation to marine areas and European marine sites, shall be construed in accordance with regulation 5;

[F11“Scottish marine area” means the area of sea within the seaward limits of the territorial sea of the United Kingdom adjacent to Scotland;]

[F12“statutory undertaker” has the meaning given in section 58(1) of the 2004 Act;]

[F13“wild bird” means a bird which is—

[F14“the Wild Birds Directive” means Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of wild birds, as amended from time to time;]

[F15(1A) An animal shall not be treated as bred in captivity for the purposes of Part III of these Regulations unless its parents were lawfully held in captivity–

(a)where the animal is of a viviparous species, when it was born;

(b)where the animal is of an oviparous species, when the egg was laid.

(1B) The reference in paragraph (1A) to “lawfully” means without any contravention of these Regulations or Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.]

(2) Unless the context otherwise requires, expressions used in these Regulations and in the Habitats Directive have the same meaning as in that Directive.

The following expressions, in particular, are defined in Article 1 of that Directive–

• “priority natural habitat types” and “priority species”;

• “site” and “site of Community importance”; and

• “special area of conservation”.

[F16(2ZA) Unless the context otherwise requires, expressions used in the Wild Birds Directive and in these Regulations have the same meaning as in that Directive.]

[F17(2B) Any reference to a numbered provision of these Regulations is—

(a)in relation to England and Wales, to the provision of that number which has effect in England and Wales; and

(b)in relation to Scotland, to the provision of that number which has effect in Scotland.]

(3) In these Regulations, unless otherwise indicated–

(a)any reference to a numbered regulation or Schedule is to the regulation or Schedule in these Regulations which bears that number, and

(b)any reference in a regulation or Schedule to a numbered paragraph is to the paragraph of that regulation or Schedule which bears that number.

(4) Subject to regulation 68 (which provides for Part IV to be construed as one with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990), these Regulations apply to the Isles of Scilly as if the Isles were a county and the Council of the Isles were a county council.

(5) For the purposes of these Regulations the territorial waters of the United Kingdom adjacent to Great Britain shall be treated as part of Great Britain and references to England, Wales and Scotland shall be construed as including the adjacent territorial waters.

For the purposes of this paragraph–

(a)territorial waters include any waters landward of the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured; and

(b)any question as to whether territorial waters are to be treated as adjacent to England, Wales or Scotland shall be determined by the Secretary of State or, for any purpose in relation to which the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has responsibility, by the Secretary of State and that Minister acting jointly.

Implementation of DirectiveE+W

3.—F1(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) In relation to marine areas any competent authority having functions relevant to marine conservation shall exercise those functions so as to secure compliance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive.

This applies, in particular, to functions under the following enactments–

• the Sea Fisheries Acts within the meaning of section 1 of the Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992(4),

• the Dockyard Ports Regulation Act 1865(5),

• section 2(2) of the Military Lands Act 1900(6) (provisions as to use of sea, tidal water or shore),

• the Harbours Act 1964(7),

• Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974(8),

• sections 36 and 37 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(9) (marine nature reserves),

• sections 120 to 122 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982(10) (control of the seashore, adjacent waters and inland waters),

• the Water Resources Act 1991(11),

• the Land Drainage Act 1991(12), and

• [F18the Planning Act 2008,]

• these Regulations.

F1(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F19Duties relating to compliance with the DirectivesS

3.—(1) The Scottish Ministers, the appropriate nature conservation body and, in relation to the Scottish marine area, a competent authority must exercise their functions which are relevant to nature conservation, including marine conservation, so as to secure compliance with the requirements of the Directives.

(2) Paragraph (1) applies in particular to functions under the following enactments:—

• the Dockyard Ports Regulation Act 1865;

• the Hill Farming Act 1946;

• Part III of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949;

• the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958;

• the Harbours Act 1964;

• the Forestry Act 1967;

• section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 (management agreements);

• section 15 of the Countryside Act 1968 (areas of special scientific interest);

• Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (pollution of water);

• Part I and section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981;

• sections 120 to 122 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (control of the seashore, adjacent waters and inland waters);

• sections 2, 3, 5, 7 and 11 of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991;

• the Sea Fisheries Acts within the meaning of section 1 of the Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992 (conservation in the exercise of sea fisheries functions);

• the Environment Act 1995;

• the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996;

• the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997;

• the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000;

• Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (access rights);

• Part 1 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003(14) (protection of the water environment);

• Part 2 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (conservation and enhancement of natural features);

• the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006;

• the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009;

• the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010;

• the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011; and

• these Regulations.

(3) Without prejudice to the preceding provisions, a competent authority, in exercising their functions, must have regard to the requirements of the Directives so far as they may be affected by the exercise of those functions.]

[F19Duties in relation to wild bird habitatS

3A.—(1) Without prejudice to regulation 3(1), the Scottish Ministers, the appropriate nature conservation body and, in relation to the Scottish marine area, a competent authority must take such steps in the exercise of their functions as they consider appropriate to secure the objective in paragraph (3), so far as lies within their powers.

(2) Except in relation to the Scottish marine area, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Forestry Commissioners, local authorities and National Park authorities must take such steps in the exercise of their functions as they consider appropriate to contribute to the achievement of the objective in paragraph (3).

(3) The objective is the preservation, maintenance and re-establishment of a sufficient diversity and area of habitat for wild birds in Scotland in implementation of Article 3 of the Wild Birds Directive (including by means of the upkeep, management and creation of such habitat, as appropriate), having regard to the requirements of Article 2 of that Directive.

(4) Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply in particular to functions under the following enactments:—

• sections 23 and 25 of the Hill Farming Act 1946;

• sections 16 to 18, 20 and 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (agreements for management of nature reserves, powers of compulsory acquisition of land for nature reserves, and powers to make byelaws for the protection of nature reserves);

• section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 (management agreements);

• sections 3, 7, 8A, 9, 10, 17A, 39, 40 and 46 of the Forestry Act 1967;

• section 15 of the Countryside Act 1968 (areas of special scientific interest);

• sections 14D to 14P of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (species control orders);

• sections 7, 8 and 10 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996;

• section 1 of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000;

• section 22 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003;

• Part 2 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (conservation and enhancement of natural features);

• the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010;

• the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011; and

• any function exercisable in relation to town and country planning.

(5) In section 79(3)(a) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (creation of network of conservation sites), the reference to “the conservation or improvement of the marine environment” includes the objective in paragraph (3), and accordingly the duty in section 103 (reports to Parliament) of that Act applies in relation to that objective.

(6) In considering which measures may be appropriate for the purpose of securing or contributing to the objective in paragraph (3), regard may be had to economic and recreational requirements.

(7) The Scottish Ministers must take any measures they consider necessary to facilitate or co-ordinate arrangements to secure the taking of steps under paragraphs (1) and (2) by the persons mentioned in those paragraphs.

(8) So far as lies within its powers, a competent authority must use all reasonable endeavours to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats of wild birds in Scotland.]

[F19Review and guidanceS

3B.—(1) The appropriate nature conservation body must from time to time—

(a)review the extent to which the objective in regulation 3A(3) has been met, other than in relation to the Scottish marine area;

(b)set out the conclusions of the review in a report, including any recommendations for further action; and

(c)send the report to the Scottish Ministers.

(2) In carrying out the review, the appropriate nature conservation body must, so far as is reasonable, take account of any measures taken which contribute to the achievement of that objective, whether or not taken pursuant to a requirement imposed by any enactment.

(3) After consultation with the appropriate nature conservation body, the Scottish Ministers must give guidance to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Forestry Commissioners, local authorities and National Park authorities—

(a)to facilitate the determination by those bodies of the extent to which the diversity and area of wild bird habitat is sufficient; and

(b)on the steps that it may be appropriate to take pursuant to regulation 3A(1) or (2).

(4) In exercising a function to which regulation 3A(1) or (2) applies, a body to which guidance has been given under paragraph (3) of this regulation must have regard to that guidance.]

[F20Nature conservation bodiesE+W+S

4.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), in these Regulations “nature conservation body” means Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage; and references to “the appropriate nature conservation body”, in relation to England, Wales or Scotland shall be construed accordingly.

(2) In Parts IV and IVA of these Regulations, “nature conservation body” also includes the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and references to “the appropriate nature conservation body” in relation to a European offshore marine site shall be construed as meaning the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.]

Relevant authorities in relation to marine areas and European marine sitesE+W+S

5.  For the purposes of these Regulations the relevant authorities, in relation to a marine area or European marine site, are such of the following as have functions in relation to land or waters within or adjacent to that area or site–

(a)a nature conservation body;

(b)a county council, district council, London borough council or, in Scotland, a regional, islands or district council;

(c)the National Rivers Authority, a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker, or an internal drainage board;

(d)a navigation authority within the meaning of the Water Resources Act 1991(13);

(e)a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act 1964(14);

(f)a lighthouse authority;

(g)[F21the Scottish Environment Protection Agency] or a district salmon fishery board;

(h)a local fisheries committee constituted under the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966(15) or any authority exercising the powers of such a committee;

[F22(i)a National Park authority established by order under section 6 of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000.]

Competent authorities generallyE+W+S

6.—(1) For the purposes of these Regulations the expression “competent authority” includes any Minister, government department, public or statutory undertaker, public body of any description or person holding a public office.

The expression also includes any person exercising any function of a competent authority in the United Kingdom.

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a)“public body” includes any local authority, joint board or joint committee; and

(b)“public office” means–

(a)an office under Her Majesty,

(b)an office created or continued in existence by a public general Act of Parliament, or

(c)an office the remuneration in respect of which is paid out of money provided by Parliament [F23or money paid out of the Scottish Consolidated Fund].

(3) In paragraph (2)(a)—

“local authority”–

(a)in relation to England, means a county council, district council or London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London, the sub–treasurer of the Inner Temple, the under treasurer of the Middle Temple or a parish council,

(b)in relation to Wales, means a county council, [F24county borough,] council or community council, and

F25(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “joint board” and “joint committee” in relation to England and Wales mean–

  (a)

  a joint or special planning board constituted for a National Park by order under paragraph 1 or 3 of Schedule 17 to the Local Government Act 1972(16), or a joint planning board within the meaning of section 2 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and

  (b)

  a joint committee appointed under section 102(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972,

  and in relation to Scotland have the same meaning as in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973(17).]