The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003

River basin management plans: approval

14.—(1) The appropriate authority may, having considered a river basin management plan submitted to it and any representations received by the authority in relation to that plan—

(a) approve it, in whole or in part, in the form submitted;

(b) approve it, in whole or in part, either with modifications or subject to such modifications as the appropriate authority may direct the Agency to make; or

(c) reject it;

and, in any case falling within sub-paragraph (b) or (c), must state its reasons for doing so.

(2) Where the appropriate authority rejects a plan, it must direct the Agency to resubmit the plan, by such time, if any, as the direction may specify, with—

(a) modifications of such nature as the direction may specify; and

(b) any further modifications which the Agency considers appropriate.

(3) Where the appropriate authority approves a plan, the Agency must publish the approved plan in such manner as the Agency thinks fit for the purpose of bringing the plan to the attention of the general public and of those persons likely to be interested in or affected by it and, in particular, must—

(a) make copies of the approved plan accessible to the public free of charge through its website and at its principal office and each of its principal regional offices; and

(b) publish a notice—

(i) stating that the plan has been approved; and

(ii) specifying the arrangements made for making copies of the plan accessible to the general public.