Amendment of regulation 4

4.  In regulation 4 (general provisions relating to screening), for paragraph (4) substitute—

“(4) The Secretary of State may direct that these Regulations shall not apply to a particular proposed development specified in the direction in accordance with Article 2(3) of the Directive (but without prejudice to Article 7 of the Directive).

(4A) Where a direction is given under paragraph (4), the Secretary of State must—

(a) send a copy of any such direction to the relevant planning authority;

(b) make available to the public the information considered in making the direction and the reasons for making the direction;

(b) consider whether another form of assessment would be appropriate; and

(c) take such steps as are considered appropriate to bring the information obtained under the other form of assessment to the attention of the public.”.