Air quality plans
25.—(1) Where the levels of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, carbon monoxide, lead and PM10 in ambient air exceed any of the limit values in Schedule 2 or the level of PM2.5 exceeds the target value in Schedule 3, the Department, after consultation with other Northern Ireland departments, shall draw up and implement an air quality plan so as to achieve that limit value or target value.
(2) The air quality plan shall include measures intended to ensure compliance with any relevant limit value within the shortest possible time.
(3) Between the date when these Regulations come into operation and 31st December 2014, the Department, after consultation with other Northern Ireland departments, shall draw up and implement an air quality plan if levels of PM2.5 in ambient air exceed a level calculated by applying the margin of tolerance set out in Schedule 2 to the limit value.
(4) Air quality plans shall include the information listed in Schedule 7.
(5) Wherever possible, air quality plans shall be consistent with other plans drawn up in accordance with obligations imposed under the Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants(1), Council Directive 2001/81/EC on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants(2) and Council Directive 2002/49/EC on assessment and management of environmental noise(3).
(6) Where an air quality plan is required in relation to more than one pollutant, the Department, after consultation with other Northern Ireland departments, shall, where appropriate, draw up and implement an integrated plan in relation to all pollutants concerned.
(7) Where the level of ozone in a zone exceeds the target value in Schedule 3, the Department, after consultation with other Northern Ireland departments, shall draw up and implement an air quality plan unless the measures necessary to achieve the target value would entail disproportionate cost.
OJ No L 309, 27.11.01, p.1, last amended by Directive 2009/31/EC (OJ No L 140, 5.6.2009, p.114)
OJ No L 309, 27.11.01, p.22, last amended by Regulation (EC) No 219/2009 (OJ No L 87, 31.3.2009, p.109)
OJ No L 189, 18.7.02, p.12, last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1137/2008 (OJ No L 311, 21.11.2008, p.1)