The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 No. 2716

PART II CONSERVATION OF NATURAL HABITATS AND HABITATS OF SPECIES

European sites

Adoption of list of sites: designation of special areas of conservation

8.—(1) Once a site of Community importance in Great Britain has been adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in paragraph 2 of Article 4 of the Habitats Directive, the Secretary of State shall designate that site as a special area of conservation as soon as possible and within six years at most.

(2) The Secretary of State shall establish priorities for the designation of sites in the light of–

(a) the importance of the sites for the maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of–

(i) a natural habitat type in Annex I to the Habitats Directive, or

(ii) a species in Annex II to the Directive,

and for the coherence of Natura 2000; and

(b) the threats of degradation or destruction to which those sites are exposed.