The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Amendment) Regulations 2020

Amendments to the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004

4.—(1) Regulation 11 (publicity for determinations and directions) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (2)—

(a) omit sub-paragraph (a) (together with the “and” at the end of sub-paragraph (a));

(b) before sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“(aa) publish the determination and any accompanying statement of reasons on a public website at which the documents may be viewed and downloaded;

(ab) provide a copy of those documents by email to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request;

(ac) provide one copy of those documents by post to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request, unless it is not reasonably practicable to provide a copy by post for reasons connected to the effects of coronavirus, including restrictions on movement;

(ad) make available a telephone number for the public to make enquiries in relation to those documents; and”;

(c) omit the “and” at the end of sub-paragraph (b)(ii);

(d) in sub-paragraph (b)(iii)—

(i) for “(which may include a website) at which a copy of” substitute “of the website”; and

(ii) for “inspected or from” to the end substitute “viewed and downloaded free of charge;”; and

(e) after sub-paragraph (b)(iii) insert—

“(iv) the fact that a copy of those documents may be obtained by email from the responsible authority;

(v) the fact that a copy of those documents may be obtained by post from the responsible authority, provided that it is reasonably practicable for the authority to provide a copy by post;

(vi) the address, email address and telephone number for the purpose of requesting a copy of those documents, either by email or by post;

(vii) whether a charge will be made for copies of those documents provided by post, and the amount of any charge; and

(viii) the telephone number which can be used to contact the responsible authority for enquiries in relation to those documents.”.

(3) In paragraph (3)—

(a) omit sub-paragraph (a) (together with the “and” at the end of sub-paragraph (a));

(b) before sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“(aa) publish the direction and the Secretary of State’s statement of his reasons for giving it on a public website at which the documents may be viewed and downloaded;

(ab) provide a copy of those documents by email to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request;

(ac) provide one copy of those documents by post to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request, unless it is not reasonably practicable to provide a copy by post for reasons connected to the effects of coronavirus, including restrictions on movement;

(ad) make available a telephone number for the public to make enquiries in relation to those documents; and”;

(c) omit the “and” at the end of sub-paragraph (b)(ii);

(d) in sub-paragraph (b)(iii)—

(i) for “(which may include a website) at which a copy of” substitute “of the website”; and

(ii) for “inspected or from” to the end substitute “viewed and downloaded free of charge;”; and

(e) after sub-paragraph (b)(iii) insert—

“(iv) the fact that a copy of those documents may be obtained by email from the responsible authority;

(v) the fact that a copy of those documents may be obtained by post from the responsible authority, provided that it is reasonably practicable for the authority to provide a copy by post;

(vi) the address, email address and telephone number for the purpose of requesting a copy of those documents either by email or by post;

(vii) whether a charge will be made for copies of those documents provided by post, and the amount of any charge; and

(viii) the telephone number which can be used to contact the responsible authority for enquiries in relation to those documents.”.

(4) For paragraph (4) substitute—

“(4) Nothing in paragraphs (2)(ac) or (3)(ac) shall require the responsible authority to provide copies of—

(a) the determination and any accompanying statement of reasons; or

(b) the direction and of the Secretary of State’s statement of his reasons for giving it,

by post free of charge, but where a charge is made that charge shall be of a reasonable amount.”.