6.—(1) In regulation 8 (The screening decision) after paragraph (1) insert—
“(1A) The Department must take into account the results of any EU environmental assessments which are reasonably available to it.”
(2) For paragraph (4)(a) substitute—
“(a)notify the applicant of—
(i)the decision and the main reasons for it with reference to the criteria in Schedule 2;
(ii)where the decision is that the project is not likely to have significant effects on the environment, a description of any measures disclosed by the applicant under Schedule 2A(4).”
(3) In paragraph (4)(b) for “the decision” substitute “the information referred to in sub-paragraph (a)”.
(4) In paragraph (4)(c) for “notify those bodies of it” substitute “notify those bodies of the information referred to in sub-paragraph (a)”.
(5) For paragraph (5) substitute—
“(5) The Department must make, and notify the applicant of, a screening decision before the end of the period of 35 days beginning with—
(a)the date referred to in regulation 7(3), or
(b)where applicable, the date the Department receives any additional information it has requested under regulation 7(2).
(5A) The Department may, where it considers there are exceptional circumstances (including relating to the nature, complexity, location or size of the project), extend the period mentioned in paragraph (5) by informing in writing the applicant of—
(a)the new period within which it will make the screening decision, and
(b)the reasons for the extension.”.