PART 1Introductory and General Provisions

European sites and European marine sites8

1

Subject to paragraph (2), in these Regulations a “European site” means—

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 (list of sites of Community importance) F1before exit day;

F2c

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

d

an area classified F3before exit day pursuant to Article 4(1) or (2) of the old Wild Birds Directive or the new Wild Birds Directive (classification of special protection areas) F3or classified after exit day under the retained transposing regulations; or

e

a site which F4before exit day has been proposed to the European Commission F5in accordance with Article 4(1) of the Habitats Directive, until such time as—

F6i

the site is designated as a special area of conservation under regulation 12 or under a corresponding provision in the other retained transposing regulations; or

ii

the appropriate authority gives the appropriate nature conservation body notice of its intention not to designate the site, setting out the reasons for its decision, in accordance with regulation 141A(3).

2

In these Regulations, a reference to a European site—

a

in Part 6, is a reference to a European site in the United Kingdom; and

b

in any other provision of these Regulations, except where otherwise indicated, is a reference to a European site in England or Wales.

3

In these Regulations a “European marine site” means a European site so far as consisting of marine areas.