The Water Resources (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Environmental statement, and opinions of the Department on the contents of an environmental statement

6.  An environmental statement shall include such of the information set out in Schedule 2 as is relevant to the relevant project and at least the following –

(a) a description of the project comprising information on the site, design and size of the project;

(b) a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the project;

(c) a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy significant adverse effects;

(d) an outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant and an indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects; and

(e) a non-technical summary of the information provided under sub-paragraphs (a) to (d).

(2) If a person so requests before making an application, the Department shall, having consulted the person making the request and the consultation bodies, give an opinion on the information which should be contained in an environmental statement accompanying such an application.

(3) The fact that the Department has given an opinion under paragraph (2) shall not preclude it from subsequently requiring the person making the request to provide further information.

(4) The Department and the consultation bodies shall, if requested by a person proposing to make an application for which an environmental statement is required, enter into consultation with him to determine whether they have in their possession any information which may be relevant to the preparation of an environmental statement and, if they have, they shall make it available to him.

(5) Paragraph (4) shall not require the disclosure of information where disclosure of that information may be refused under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004(1).

(6) Any body which provides information to a person under paragraph (4) may require him to pay a charge which reflects the cost of making that information available.

(7) If the Department considers that an environmental statement does not contain all the information required by paragraph (1), it shall by notice in writing –

(a) inform the applicant; and

(b) specify what further information the Department requires,

and the applicant shall provide that information to the Department.

(1)

S.I. 2004/3391