PART 2CONSERVATION OF NATURAL HABITATS AND HABITATS OF SPECIES
European offshore marine sites
Meaning of “European offshore marine site” in these Regulations15
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.