PART 2Conservation of Natural Habitats and Habitats of Species
European sites
Classification of sites as special protection areas15
1
The appropriate authority must classify as special protection areas such sites in England and Wales as the authority considers necessary to ensure that the objective in paragraph (2) is met.
2
The objective referred to in paragraph (1) is that those sites across the United Kingdom's territory which are most suitable in number and size for—
a
the conservation of the species listed in Annex 1 to the new Wild Birds Directive which naturally occur in that territory, and
b
the conservation of regularly occurring migratory species of birds not listed in Annex 1 which naturally occur in that territory,
are classified as special protection areas.
3
The appropriate authority must make a decision as to the sites to be classified for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (1) only on the basis of relevant scientific information and—
a
in the case of a site to be classified for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (2)(a), on the basis of the criteria set out in Article 4(1) of the new Wild Birds Directive (classification of special protection areas); and
b
in the case of a site to be classified for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (2)(b), on the basis of the criteria set out in Article 4(2) of the new Wild Birds Directive.
F14
In applying the criteria referred to in sub-paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) in relation to any species, references in Articles 4(1) and (2) of the new Wild Birds Directive to classifying the most suitable territories “in the geographical sea and land area where this Directive applies” are to be construed as referring to the most suitable territories in the United Kingdom’s territory, having regard to the importance of such territories for ensuring the survival and reproduction of that species in their area of distribution
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F26
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