The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017

Consideration of whether planning permission or subsequent consent should be granted

26.—(1) When determining an application or appeal in relation to which an environmental statement has been submitted, the relevant planning authority, the Secretary of State or an inspector, as the case may be, must—

(a) examine the environmental information;

(b) reach a reasoned conclusion on the significant effects of the proposed development on the environment, taking into account the examination referred to in sub-paragraph (a) and, where appropriate, their own supplementary examination;

(c) integrate that conclusion into the decision as to whether planning permission or subsequent consent is to be granted; and

(d) if planning permission or subsequent consent is to be granted, consider whether it is appropriate to impose monitoring measures.

(2) The relevant planning authority, the Secretary of State or the inspector, as the case may be, must not grant planning permission or subsequent consent for EIA development unless satisfied that the reasoned conclusion referred to in paragraph (1)(b) is up to date, and a reasoned conclusion is to be taken to be up to date if, in the opinion of the relevant planning authority, the Secretary of State or the inspector, as the case may be, it addresses the significant effects of the proposed development on the environment that are likely to arise as a result of the proposed development.

(3) When considering whether to impose a monitoring measure under paragraph (1)(d), the relevant planning authority, the Secretary of State or inspector, as appropriate, must—

(a) if monitoring is considered to be appropriate, consider whether to make provision for potential remedial action;

(b) take steps to ensure that the type of parameters to be monitored and the duration of the monitoring are proportionate to the nature, location and size of the proposed development and the significance of its effects on the environment; and

(c) consider, in order to avoid duplication of monitoring, whether any existing monitoring arrangements carried out in accordance with an obligation under the law of any part of the United Kingdom, other than under the Directive, are more appropriate than imposing a monitoring measure.

(4) In cases where no statutory timescale is in place the decision of the relevant authority or the Secretary of State, as the case may be, must be taken within a reasonable period of time, taking into account the nature and complexity of the proposed development, from the date on which the relevant authority or the Secretary of State has been provided with the environmental information.