3.3.3.5 National Designated Sites 56.
In England and Wales the Habitats Directive (as discussed previously in section 3.2.3.3) is implemented under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (the Habitats Regulations). For UK offshore waters (i.e. 12nm from the coast out to 200nm or to the limit of the UK Continental Shelf Designated Area), the Habitats Directive is transposed into UK law by the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 2007 (as amended). The provisions of the Birds Directive are implemented through the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the Habitats Regulations (2010) as well as other legislation related to the use of land and sea (JNCC 2014).
57. Natural England is responsible for identifying sites suitable for SPA or SAC designation and for conducting public consultation on those sites in English inshore waters (0-12nm). The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) leads on the selection of SPAs and SACs within the UK offshore area (i.e. those beyond 12nm). Sites that span inshore and offshore waters are progressed jointly by Natural England and JNCC. Once a site has been identified and consulted upon within the UK, it is submitted for approval to the EC. Once approved, it becomes a potential SPA (pSPA) or a candidate SAC (cSAC) and receives protection that is equivalent to that received by an SPA/SAC. A site can then be formally designated as an SPA or SAC by the UK Government.
58.
SSSIs are intended to provide statutory protection to the best examples of flora, fauna, geological and physio-geological features in England and Wales. First established after the National Parks Act 1949, their present legal framework is underpinned by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Improved provisions for the protection and management of SSSIs were also introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Natural England has overall responsibility for the management of the SSSI network in England.
59. National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are designations intended to provide additional statutory protection to the finest SSSIs in England and Wales. Natural England is the body responsible for the designation of NNRs under the legislation discussed above. Natural England manages the majority of English NNRs, with the remaining sites managed by other approved organisations such as the National Trust, the Forestry Commission, the RSPB, local Wildlife Trusts, and local planning authorities.
60. Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) represent a network of new marine protection areas provided for under the MCAA 2009. The first tranche ofMCZs was designated in November 2013 and a second tranche of potential sites to go forward for public consultation in 2015 was announced in February 2014. The primary aim of MCZs is
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 3 Policy and Legislative Context Page 13
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