The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019

Prior information to the public

21.—(1) The local authority which has responsibility for an area covered by an off-site emergency plan with a detailed emergency planning zone must, in cooperation with the operator, ensure that members of the public are made aware of the relevant information, and, where appropriate, are provided with it.

(2) The local authority which has responsibility for an area covered by an off-site emergency plan with an outline emergency planning zone must, in cooperation with the operator, ensure that members of the public have access to the relevant information.

(3) The relevant information referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) is—

(a) where the area is covered by a detailed emergency planning zone only, the information set out in Part 1 of Schedule 8 only;

(b) where the area is covered by an outline planning zone and a detailed emergency planning zone, the information set out in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Schedule 8 in addition to the information set out in Part 1 of Schedule 8;

(c) where the area is covered by an outline planning zone only, the information set out in Part 2 of Schedule 8.

(4) In preparing the information to be provided in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), the local authority must consult such persons who seem to that local authority to be appropriate.

(5) The information to which members of the public are to be provided or to have access in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) must be made available to them both electronically and in hard copy.

(6) The local authority must review, and where necessary revise, the relevant information referred to in paragraph (3)—

(a) at regular intervals, but in any case not exceeding three years; and

(b) whenever significant changes to the protective action or authorities referred to in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of Schedule 8 take place.

(7) Where the information has been revised in accordance with paragraph (6) the local authority must ensure that the revised information is made available to members of the public who have property in or who are in the area covered by the local authority, in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) as appropriate.

(8) The operator must not carry out the work with ionising radiation to which the evaluation made in accordance with regulation 4(1) or 6(1) applies before the information referred to in paragraph (3) is supplied.

(9) The local authority must ensure that the information is made available in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) again—

(a) at intervals not exceeding three years; and

(b) if it is revised pursuant to paragraph (6), as soon as reasonably practicable after the revision.

(10) Where a report is made pursuant to regulation 7, the local authority must make that report available to the public as soon as reasonably practicable after it has been sent to the regulator under that regulation (except that, with the approval of the regulator, the local authority must not make available any part or parts of such report for reasons of industrial, commercial or personal confidentiality, public security or national security).