The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017

River basin management plans: approval

31.—(1) The appropriate authority may, having considered an updated river basin management plan submitted to it and any representations received by the authority in relation to that plan—

(a) approve it, in whole or in part, in the form submitted,

(b) approve it, in whole or in part, either with modifications or subject to such modifications as the appropriate authority may direct the appropriate agency to make, or

(c) reject it.

(2) In any case falling within paragraph (1)(b) or (c), the appropriate authority must state its reasons.

(3) Where the appropriate authority rejects an updated plan, it must direct the appropriate agency to resubmit the plan, by such time, if any, as the direction may specify, with—

(a) modifications of such nature as the direction may specify, and

(b) any further modifications which the appropriate agency considers appropriate.

(4) Where the appropriate authority approves an updated plan, the appropriate agency must publish the approved plan in such manner as the appropriate agency thinks fit for the purpose of bringing the plan to the attention of the general public and of those persons likely to be interested in or affected by it and, in particular, must—

(a) make copies of the approved plan accessible to the public free of charge through its website and at its principal office, and

(b) publish a notice—

(i) stating that the plan has been approved, and

(ii) specifying the arrangements made for making copies of the plan accessible to the general public.

(5) The appropriate authority must ensure that an updated plan is published—

(a) by 22nd December 2021, and

(b) subsequently, by 22nd December of the sixth year following that date and of each sixth year following that.