The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011

General provisions relating to screening

This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

4.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the occurrence of an event mentioned in paragraph (2) shall determine for the purpose of these Regulations that development is EIA development.

(2) The events referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a)the submission by the applicant or appellant in relation to that development of a statement referred to by the applicant or appellant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations; or

(b)the adoption by the relevant planning authority of a screening opinion to the effect that the development is EIA development.

(3) A direction of the Secretary of State shall determine for the purpose of these Regulations whether development is or is not EIA development.

(4) (a) The Secretary of State may direct that these Regulations shall not apply in relation to a particular proposed development specified in the direction either—

(i)in accordance with Article 2(3) of the Directive (but without prejudice to Article 7 of the Directive), or

(ii)if the development comprises or forms part of a project serving national defence purposes and in the opinion of the Secretary of State compliance with these Regulations would have an adverse effect on those purposes;

(b)Where a direction is given under paragraph (4)(a) the Secretary of State must send a copy of any such direction to the relevant planning authority.

(5) Where a direction is given under paragraph (4)(a)(i) the Secretary of State must—

(a)make available to the public the information considered in making the direction and the reasons for making the direction;

(b)consider whether another form of assessment would be appropriate; and

(c)take such steps as are considered appropriate to bring the information obtained under the other form of assessment to the attention of the public.

(6) Where a local planning authority or the Secretary of State has to decide under these Regulations whether Schedule 2 development is EIA development the authority or Secretary of State shall take into account in making that decision such of the selection criteria set out in Schedule 3 as are relevant to the development.

(7) Where a local planning authority adopts a screening opinion under regulation 5(5), or the Secretary of State makes a screening direction under paragraph (3)—

(a)that opinion or direction shall be accompanied by a written statement giving clearly and precisely the full reasons for that conclusion; and

(b)the authority or the Secretary of State, as the case may be, shall send a copy of the opinion or direction and a copy of the written statement required by sub-paragraph (a) to the person who proposes to carry out, or who has carried out, the development in question.

(8) The Secretary of State may make a screening direction either—

(a)of the Secretary of State’s own volition; or

(b)if requested to do so in writing by any person.

(9) The Secretary of State may direct that particular development of a description mentioned in Column 1 of the table in Schedule 2 is EIA development in spite of the fact that none of the conditions contained in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of “Schedule 2 development” is satisfied in relation to that development.

(10) The Secretary of State shall send a copy of any screening direction and a copy of the written statement required by paragraph (7)(a) to the relevant planning authority.