Public participation procedures
14.—(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after preparing proposals for a waste prevention programme or national waste management plan or for the modification of such a programme or plan, the appropriate authority must—
(a)send a copy of the proposals to the consultation bodies;
(b)take such steps as it considers appropriate to bring the proposals to the attention of the persons who in the authority’s opinion—
(i)are, or are likely to be, affected by the programme or plan, or
(ii)have an interest in the programme or plan;
(c)inform the public consultees of the address (which may include a website)—
(i)at which a copy of the proposals may be viewed, and
(ii)from which a copy of the proposals may be obtained;
(d)invite the consultation bodies and public consultees to express their opinion on the proposals, specifying the address to which, and the period within which, opinions must be sent.
(2) The period referred to in paragraph (1)(d) must be of such length as will ensure that the consultation bodies and the public consultees are given an effective opportunity to express their opinion on the proposals.
(3) The appropriate authority must keep a copy of the proposals at its principal office for inspection by the public at all reasonable times free of charge.
(4) Nothing in paragraph (1)(c) requires the appropriate authority to provide copies free of charge, but where a charge is made it must be reasonable.