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

Duty to compile and maintain register of European sites

11.—(1) The Secretary of State shall compile and maintain, in such form as he thinks fit, a register of European sites in Great Britain.

(2) He shall include in the register–

(a) special areas of conservation, as soon as they are designated by him;

(b) sites of Community importance as soon as they are placed on the list referred to in the third sub–paragraph of Article 4(2) of the Habitats Directive, until they are designated as special areas of conservation;

(c) any site hosting a priority natural habitat type or priority species in respect of which consultation is initiated under Article 5(1) of the Habitats Directive, during the consultation period or pending a Council decision under Article 5(3); and

(d) areas classified by him pursuant to Article 4(1) or (2) of the Wild Birds Directive, as soon as they are so classified or, if they have been classified before the commencement of these Regulations, as soon as practicable after commencement.

(3) He may, if appropriate, amend the entry in the register relating to a European site.

(4) He shall remove the relevant entry–

(a) if a special area of conservation is declassified by the Commission under Article 9 of the Habitats Directive; or

(b) if a site otherwise ceases to fall within any of the categories listed in paragraph (2) above.

(5) He shall keep a copy of the register available for public inspection at all reasonable hours and free of charge.