The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Amendment) Regulations 2020

Amendments to the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004

7.—(1) Regulation 16 (information as to adoption of plan or programme) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a) omit sub-paragraph (a) (together with the “and” at the end of sub-paragraph (a));

(b) before sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“(aa) publish the plan or programme, as adopted, its accompanying environmental report and a statement containing the particulars specified in paragraph (4) (“the relevant adoption documents”) on a public website at which the documents may be viewed and downloaded free of charge;

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

(ac) provide one copy of the relevant adoption 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;

(ad) make available a telephone number for the public to make enquiries in relation to the relevant adoption documents; and”;

(c) in sub-paragraph (b) paragraphs (iii) to (v) are omitted; and

(d) at the end insert—

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

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

(viii) the fact that a copy of the relevant adoption 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;

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

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

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

(3) For sub-paragraph (3)(c) substitute—

“(c) the address of the website at which a copy of—

(i) the plan or programme, as adopted;

(ii) its accompanying environmental report; and

(iii) a statement containing the particulars specified in paragraph (4),

may be viewed, or from which a copy may be obtained;

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

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

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

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

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

(4) In paragraph (4) for “(1)(b)(iii)” substitute “(1)(b)(vi)”.

(5) At the end insert—

“(5) Nothing in paragraph (1)(ac) shall require the responsible authority to provide copies of the relevant adoption documents by post free of charge, but where a charge is made, that charge shall be of a reasonable amount.”.