Renewing environmental improvement plans
4(1)This paragraph applies where an environmental improvement plan relates to a period specified in the plan.
(2)Before the end of the period to which the environmental improvement plan (the “old plan”) relates, the Department must prepare a new environmental improvement plan (the “new plan”).
(3)If the new plan relates to a period specified in the plan, that period must begin no later than immediately after the end of the period to which the old plan relates.
(4)In preparing the new plan the Department must—
(a)consider what has been done to implement the old plan,
(b)consider whether, having regard to data obtained under paragraph 5, the natural environment has improved since the beginning of the period to which the old plan relates,
(c)consider whether any Northern Ireland department should take further or different steps to improve the natural environment (compared to those set out in the old plan) after the end of that period, and
(d)consult such other Northern Ireland departments as it considers appropriate.
(5)At or before the end of the period to which the old plan relates the Department must lay before the Northern Ireland Assembly, and publish, the new plan.
(6)The new plan replaces the old plan when—
(a)it has been laid and published, and
(b)if it relates to a period specified in the new plan, that period has begun.