The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, SI 2017/1012 (the “Habitats Regulations 2017”) consolidate and update the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (the “Habitats Regulations 2010”). The Habitats Regulations 2017 consolidate all the various amendments made to the Habitats Regulations 2010 and also introduce a small number of minor amendments designed to take account of changes to other related legislation, such as amendments to Town and Country Planning legislation, rectify previous omissions, or improve the clarity of drafting.
The Habitats Regulations 2010 were the principal means by which Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora (the “Habitats Directive”) is transposed in England and Wales and the adjacent territorial seas. They also transposed elements of the EU Wild Birds Directive in England and Wales. The objective of the Habitats Directive is to protect biodiversity through the conservation of natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora. The Directive lays down rules for the protection, management and exploitation of such habitats and species.