15.—(1) Any declaration in force in relation to a European site under Article 24 of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (declaration of areas of special scientific interest) specifying—
(a)the flora, fauna or geological, physiographical or other features by reason of which the land is of special scientific interest, and
(b)any operations and activities appearing to the Department to be likely to damage the flora or fauna or those features,
shall have effect for the purposes of these Regulations.
(2) The Department may, for the purpose of securing compliance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive, at any time amend the declaration with respect to any of the matters mentioned in paragraph 1(a) or (b).
(3) Notice of any amendment shall be given—
(a)to every owner and occupier of any land within the site who in the opinion of the Department may be affected by the amendment; and
(b)to each district council in whose district the site is wholly or partially situated;
and the amendment shall come into force in relation to an owner or occupier upon such notice being given to him.
(4) The provisions of Article 33 of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (matters to be registered in the Statutory Charges Register) apply with the necessary modifications to an amendment of a declaration under this regulation as in relation to the original declaration.