The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007

Regulation 11(4)

SCHEDULE 2 SCREENING OPINIONS

Request for a screening opinion

1.—(1) A request for a screening opinion must be accompanied by—

(a) a chart or map (or both) sufficient to identify the location of the project and of the regulated activity;

(b) a brief description (including a plan) of the nature and purpose of the project and the regulated activity and their possible effects on the environment;

(c) a statement of the working methods to be used in the course of the project and in carrying out the regulated activity; and

(d) such other information or representations as the applicant may wish to provide or make.

(2) Where the regulated activity comprises the whole of (or forms part of) a project in respect of which the applicant has made an application to a consenting authority other than the regulator, an applicant seeking a screening opinion must—

(a) inform the appropriate authority and the regulator (if the regulator is not also the appropriate authority) of any such application;

(b) if any such consenting authority has requested an environmental statement in respect of that project, inform the appropriate authority and the regulator (if the regulator is not also the appropriate authority) of that request; and

(c) if so requested by the appropriate authority, provide the appropriate authority with a copy of any environmental statement and of any other environmental information provided to any such consenting authority.

Payment of a fee for a screening opinion

2.—(1) The appropriate authority may require an applicant to pay a reasonable fee in respect of—

(a) the administrative expenses of providing a screening opinion; and

(b) the cost of carrying out any examinations or tests that, in the opinion of the appropriate authority, are necessary or expedient to enable the appropriate authority to produce its screening opinion.

(2) If the appropriate authority considers that it is appropriate to do so, it may—

(a) require the applicant to make a reasonable advance payment against the fee that it is entitled to charge for its screening opinion;

(b) determine the balance of the fee payable after carrying out the work necessary to produce its screening opinion in accordance with the remaining provisions of this Schedule; and

(c) require the applicant to pay the balance of the fee that it is entitled to charge prior to the notification of its screening opinion.

Procedure for reaching a screening opinion

3.—(1) The appropriate authority must, if it considers that it has not been provided with sufficient information to enable it to give a screening opinion, notify the applicant in writing of the matters on which it requires further information and the applicant must supply that further information to the appropriate authority within such period as the appropriate authority may reasonably require.

(2) The applicant must supply the appropriate authority with such number of additional copies of the documentation as the appropriate authority may reasonably require.

(3) The appropriate authority need not deal further with the request for a screening opinion until the applicant has complied with the requirements of sub-paragraphs (1) and (2).

(4) Where an applicant has failed to comply with the requirements of sub-paragraph (1) or (2) within such reasonable period as the appropriate authority has specified, or such longer period as the appropriate authority may reasonably allow—

(a) the regulator may treat the application to which the request relates as having been withdrawn, and

(b) the appropriate authority (if the regulator is not also the appropriate authority) may direct the regulator to do so.

Consultation

4.—(1) The appropriate authority must consult such of the consultation bodies as it considers appropriate before giving a screening opinion.

(2) When carrying out any consultation under sub-paragraph (1), the appropriate authority must allow the consultation body a reasonable period within which to respond, and that period must not be less than 28 days from the date of the letter to the consultation body from the appropriate authority or such other period as may be agreed between the consultation body and the appropriate authority.

Notification of a screening opinion

5.  The appropriate authority must, as soon as reasonably practicable, provide its screening opinion and a written statement of the reasons for its opinion to—

(a) the applicant;

(b) if the appropriate authority is not also the regulator, the regulator; and

(c) such of the consultation bodies as it consulted in accordance with paragraph 4.

Availability of screening opinions for inspection

6.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the appropriate authority must ensure that, as soon as possible after being sent to the applicant, its screening opinion is—

(a) publicised in such manner as it considers appropriate; and

(b) in the case of a deposit, made available on the Public Register.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not require disclosure of any excluded information.