Amendments to the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004

5.—(1) Regulation 13 (consultation procedures) is amended as follows.

(2) For paragraph (2)(c) substitute—

“(c) inform the public consultees of—

(i) the address of the website at which the relevant documents may be viewed and downloaded free of charge;

(ii) the fact that a copy of the relevant documents may be obtained by email from the responsible authority;

(iii) the fact that a copy of the relevant documents may be obtained by post from the responsible authority, provided that it is reasonably practicable for the authority to provide a copy by post;

(iv) the address, email address and telephone number for the purpose of requesting a copy of the relevant documents either by email or by post;

(v) whether a charge will be made for copies of the relevant documents provided by post and the amount of any charge; and

(vi) the telephone number which can be used to contact the responsible authority for enquiries in relation to the relevant documents;”.

(3) For paragraph (4) substitute—

“(4) The responsible authority shall—

(a) publish the relevant documents on a public website at which the relevant documents may be viewed and downloaded free of charge;

(b) provide a copy of the relevant documents by email to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request;

(c) provide one copy of the relevant documents by post to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request, unless it is not reasonably practicable to provide a copy by post for reasons connected to the effects of coronavirus, including restrictions on movement; and

(d) make available a telephone number for the public to make enquiries in relation to the relevant documents.”.

(4) In paragraph (5)—

(a) for “(2)(c)” substitute “(4)(c)”; and

(b) after “copies” insert “of the relevant documents by post”.