Meaning of “European offshore marine site” in these Regulations
15. In these Regulations a “European offshore marine site” means any of the following located in the offshore marine area—
(a)a special area of conservation;
(b)a site of Community importance which has been placed on the list referred to in the third sub-paragraph of Article 4(2) of the Habitats Directive;
(c)a site hosting a priority natural habitat type or priority species in respect of which consultation has been initiated under Article 5(1) of the Habitats Directive, during the consultation period or pending a decision of the Council under Article 5(3);
(d)a site classified as a special protection area under regulation 12; and
(e)a site which has been proposed to the Commission by the Secretary of State as a site eligible for designation as a special area of conservation for the purposes of meeting the United Kingdom’s obligations under Article 4(1) of the Habitats Directive until such time as—
(i)the site is placed on the list of sites of Community importance referred to in the third sub-paragraph of Article 4(2) of the Habitats Directive; or
(ii)agreement is reached or a decision is taken pursuant to Article 4(2) of that Directive that the site is not to be placed on that list.