The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000

PART I GENERAL

Citation, commencement, application and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 and shall come into force on 1st September 2000.

(2) These Regulations apply in the case of—

(a) any application under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989(1) for consent to construct, extend or operate a generating station; or

(b) any application under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 for consent to install or keep installed an electric line above ground,

which is received by the Secretary of State on or after the date on which these Regulations come into force.

(3) These Regulations extend throughout England and Wales.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Electricity Act 1989 and references to sections are references to sections of the Act;

“the consultative bodies” means—

(a)

(other than in relation to development which is or is to be situated in the English area) the local planning authority and any principal council for the area where the land is situated, if not the local planning authority;

(b)

where the application or proposed application relates to a site in England, the Countryside Agency(2) and the Nature Conservancy Council for England(3);

(c)

where the application or proposed application relates to a site in Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales(4); and

(d)

where the application or proposed application relates to a section 36 consent, the Environment Agency(5);

“development” means the carrying out of building, engineering or other operations in, on, over or under land or sea in pursuance of any application to which these Regulations apply;

“EEA State” means a State which is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992(6) as adjusted by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993(7);

“EIA development” means development which is—

(a)

Schedule 1 development;

(b)

Schedule 2 development which falls within regulation 3(2); or

(c)

any other development which the Secretary of State determines is EIA development in accordance with regulation 3(4);

“electric line” has the same meaning as in section 64;

“the English area” means the area so defined in Article 1(2) of the Civil Jurisdiction (Offshore Activities) Order 1987(8);

“environmental information” means the environmental statement prepared by the applicant, any representations duly made by any consultative body or any other person consulted pursuant to regulation 11(2)(a)(ii) and any representations duly made by any other person about the likely environmental effects of the proposed development;

“environmental statement” means a statement prepared in respect of development in accordance with regulation 4(1) (including any further information submitted by the applicant pursuant to a requirement under regulation 13(1));

“generating station” has the same meaning as in section 64;

“local planning authority” has the same meaning as is assigned to “ relevant planning authority” by sub-paragraph (a), (aa) or (ab) (as the case may be) of paragraph 2(6) of Schedule 8 to the Act(9);

“principal council” has the same meaning as in section 270(1) of the Local Government Act 1972(10);

“register” means the register kept pursuant to section 69 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990(11);

“Schedule 1 development” means development of a description set out in Schedule 1;

“Schedule 2 development” means development of a description set out in Schedule 2;

“scoping opinion” means a written statement of opinion of the Secretary of State given in accordance with regulation 7;

“screening opinion” means a written statement of opinion of the Secretary of State as to whether the development in question is EIA development;

“section 36 consent” means a consent under section 36 to construct, extend or operate a generating station; and

“section 37 consent” means a consent under section 37 to install or keep installed an electric line above ground.

(2) Except where the context otherwise requires, in these Regulations any reference to a numbered regulation or Schedule is a reference to the regulation in or the Schedule to these Regulations bearing that number and any reference in a regulation to a paragraph is a reference to a paragraph of that regulation.

Prohibition of grant of consent without consideration of environmental information

3.—(1) The Secretary of State shall not grant a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent which relates to EIA development unless the requirements of regulation 4 have been satisfied.

(2) Schedule 2 development shall constitute EIA development if one of the events set out in paragraph (3) has occurred.

(3) The events referred to in paragraph (2) are:

(a) the submission by the applicant in relation to the proposed development of a document referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations; or

(b) a determination by the Secretary of State (whether pursuant to a request for a screening opinion or regulation 6), having taken into account such of the criteria set out in Schedule 3 as are relevant to the development, that the application relates to EIA development as the development is likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location.

(4) In spite of the fact that any development is not Schedule 1 development or Schedule 2 development, the Secretary of State may, having taken into account such of the criteria set out in Schedule 3 as are relevant to the development, make a determination (whether pursuant to a request for a screening opinion or regulation 6) that an application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent is for EIA development as the development is likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location.

Procedure for grant of consent where an environmental statement is required

4.—(1) An applicant shall submit in relation to any application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent which relates to EIA development an environmental statement which includes—

(a) at least the information referred to in Part II of Schedule 4; and

(b) such of the information referred to in Part I of Schedule 4 as is reasonably required to assess the environmental effects of the development and which, having regard in particular to current knowledge and methods of assessment, the applicant can reasonably be required to compile, taking into account the terms of any scoping opinion given.

(2) In relation to any application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent which relates to EIA development, the Secretary of State shall not grant the required consent unless—

(a) he is satisfied that the applicant has complied with his obligations under paragraph (l);

(b) he has taken into consideration the environmental information (including without limitation any views expressed by other EEA States under regulation 12) and states in his decision in relation to that consent that he has done so; and

(c) the procedures laid down in regulations 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 have been followed in so far as they are applicable.

PART II SCREENING

Procedure for a screening opinion by Secretary of State

5.—(1) A person who is minded to apply for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent for development which he considers may be EIA development may make a written request to the Secretary of State for a screening opinion.

(2) A request for a screening opinion shall be accompanied by—

(a) a plan sufficient to identify the site which is the subject of the proposed development;

(b) a brief description of the nature and purpose of the proposed development and of its possible effects on the environment; and

(c) such further information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.

(3) The Secretary of State, on receiving a request for a screening opinion shall, if he considers that he has not been provided with sufficient information to give an opinion, within three weeks of the receipt of the request by him give notice to the person making the request of the particular points on which he requires further information.

(4) Where the Secretary of State considers that he has sufficient information he shall consult the local planning authority within whose area the land which is the subject of the proposed application is situated (or, in relation to a proposed development in, on, over or under the sea, such local planning authority or local planning authorities as he considers appropriate) as to its views on whether the proposed development is EIA development, unless the person requesting a screening opinion has already conveyed that authority’s views to the Secretary of State.

(5) A local planning authority shall give its views to the Secretary of State within three weeks of the date on which it was consulted under paragraph (4) (or such longer period as the Secretary of State may determine).

(6) When the Secretary of State considers that he has sufficient information he shall give a screening opinion within three weeks of whichever is the latest of—

(a) the date of receipt of the request by the Secretary of State;

(b) the date by which he has received all the further information required by him in a notice given under paragraph (3); and

(c) the date by which the local planning authority is required to give its views under paragraph (5) (or, if earlier, the date by which the Secretary of State has received the views of the local planning authority),

or within such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the person making the request.

(7) Where the Secretary of State determines that the application for consent is for EIA development, he shall provide with the screening opinion a written statement giving full reasons for his determination.

Application made without an environmental statement

6.—(1) Where an application is made to the Secretary of State for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent but—

(a) the application is not accompanied by a document referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement; and

(b) the proposed development has not previously been the subject of a screening opinion,

the Secretary of State shall make a determination as to whether or not the application for consent is for EIA development within three weeks of whichever is the latest of—

(i) the date of receipt of the application by the Secretary of State;

(ii) the date by which he has received all the further information required by him in a notice given pursuant to a notice under regulation 5(3) as applied by paragraph (2); and

(iii) the date by which the local planning authority is required to give its views under regulation 5(5) as applied by paragraph (2) (or, if earlier, the date by which the Secretary of State has received the views of the local planning authority),

or within such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the applicant and give notice to the applicant in writing accordingly, giving full reasons for his determination.

(2) When making any determination under paragraph (1) the Secretary of State may have recourse to procedures laid down in regulation 5 as if the applicant had made a request for a screening opinion and in particular may require the applicant to provide the information set out in regulation 5(2), may require further information in accordance with regulation 5(3) and consult the relevant local planning authority in accordance with regulation 5(4) and regulation 5(5).

(3) The applicant may, within three weeks beginning with the date a notice is given pursuant to paragraph (1) that the proposed development is EIA development, write to the Secretary of State to inform him that he proposes to provide an environmental statement.

(4) If pursuant to paragraph (1) the Secretary of State determines that the proposed development is EIA development and the applicant takes no action in accordance with paragraph (3) the consent applied for shall be deemed to be refused at the end of the three week period referred to in paragraph (3).

PART III PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

Procedure for a scoping opinion by Secretary of State

7.—(1) A person who is minded to apply for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent for development which is or may be EIA development may make a written request for the Secretary of State to state in writing his opinion as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement (a “scoping opinion”).

(2) A request for a scoping opinion shall be accompanied by—

(a) a plan sufficient to identify the site which is the subject of the proposed development;

(b) a brief description of the nature and purpose of the proposed development and of its possible effects on the environment; and

(c) such further information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.

(3) The Secretary of State, on receiving a request for a scoping opinion shall, if he considers that he has not been provided with sufficient information to give an opinion, within three weeks of the receipt of the request by him give notice to the person making the request of the particular points on which he requires further information.

(4) When the Secretary of State considers that he has sufficient information he shall consult—

(a) the person making the request under paragraph (1);

(b) the appropriate consultative bodies; and

(c) any other person who in the opinion of the Secretary of State is likely to be concerned by the proposed development by reason of his specific environmental responsibilities,

and give them three weeks (or such longer period as that person and the Secretary of State may agree) to make representations regarding the content of the scoping opinion.

(5) The Secretary of State shall not give a scoping opinion until he is satisfied that the requirements for consultation provided for in paragraph (4) have been met and he has considered any representations received by him pursuant to such consultation regarding the scoping opinion which he proposes to give.

(6) The Secretary of State shall give a scoping opinion within three weeks of whichever is the latest of—

(a) the date of receipt of the request by the Secretary of State;

(b) the date by which he has received all the further information required by him in a notice given under paragraph (3); and

(c) the last date by which any person consulted under paragraph (4) is required to make representations (or if earlier, the date by which the Secretary of State has received the last of the representations of such persons),

or within such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the person making the request for a scoping opinion.

(7) Before giving a scoping opinion the Secretary of State shall, having regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment, take into account—

(a) the specific characteristics of the proposed development;

(b) the specific characteristics of that type of development; and

(c) the environmental features likely to be affected.

(8) Where a person has, at the same time as making a request for a screening opinion under regulation 5(1), asked the Secretary of State for a scoping opinion under paragraph (1), and the Secretary of State has given a screening opinion to the effect that the development is EIA development, the Secretary of State shall begin the procedures relating to scoping on the date on which he gives the screening opinion.

Procedure to facilitate preparation of an environmental statement

8.—(1) A prospective applicant may give the Secretary of State notice in writing that he intends to make an application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent in relation to any development and to submit an environmental statement with his application.

(2) A notice under paragraph (1) shall include the information necessary to identify, or be accompanied by documents identifying, the location and the nature and purpose of the proposed development, and shall indicate the main environmental consequences to which the prospective applicant proposes to refer to in his environmental statement.

(3) Where the Secretary of State receives such a notice as is mentioned in paragraph (1), he shall—

(a) give notice to the appropriate consultative bodies (and such other persons that are in his opinion likely to be concerned by the proposed development by reason of their specific environmental responsibilities) in writing of the name and address of the prospective applicant and of the duty imposed upon them by regulation 15 to make information available to the prospective applicant; and

(b) give notice to the prospective applicant in writing of the names and addresses of the consultative bodies and persons so notified.

(4) Where an application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent in relation to development has been made without an environmental statement, and—

(a) the Secretary of State has given notice to the applicant pursuant to regulation 6 that the development constitutes EIA development; or

(b) the applicant has informed the Secretary of State that he proposes to submit an environmental statement,

the Secretary of State shall take the action specified in paragraph (3)(a) and (b) which shall be read as if references to the prospective applicant were references to the applicant.

PART IV PUBLICITY AND PROCEDURES

Publicity where an application is accompanied by an environmental statement

9.—(1) In any case where an applicant for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent which relates to EIA development has provided the Secretary of State with an environmental statement the applicant shall publish in two successive weeks in one or more local newspapers circulating in the locality in which the land to which the application relates is situated (or, if the proposed development is in, on, over or under the sea, in such newspapers as are likely to come to the attention of those likely to be affected by the proposed development) a notice containing the information specified in paragraph (2).

(2) A notice to which paragraph (1) applies shall—

(a) describe the application in question and state that it is accompanied by an environmental statement;

(b) state that copies of the environmental statement may be inspected at or obtained from an address in the locality in which the land to which the application relates is situated (or, if the proposed development is in, on, over or under the sea, an address in England and Wales) and specify the amount of any payment required to be paid for a copy of the environmental statement; and

(c) state a date, not less than four weeks after the date on which the notice is to be last published in accordance with paragraph (1), by which any person may make representations in relation to the application in question to the Secretary of State and specify the address to which any such representations are to be sent.

(3) A notice under paragraph (1) may be combined with any other notice which the applicant may be required to publish in respect of his application.

(4) A reasonable charge reflecting printing and distribution costs may be made in relation to the supply of a copy of an environmental statement to any person except that the copies served pursuant to regulation 11(1) or 11(3) shall be supplied free of charge.

Publicity of opinions, determinations and decisions

10.—(1) The Secretary of State shall send to the local planning authority within whose area the land which is the subject of the proposed application is situated (or, in relation to a proposed development in, on, over or under the sea, such local planning authority or local planning authorities as the Secretary of State considers appropriate) a copy of—

(a) any screening opinion or determination under regulation 6; and

(b) any scoping opinion,

and the relevant local planning authority shall take steps to ensure that such documents are made available for public inspection at all reasonable hours at the place where the register is kept.

(2) If an application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent is made and any documents relating to it are sent to a local planning authority pursuant to paragraph (1), the local planning authority shall take steps to ensure that the documents received pursuant to paragraph (1) are also placed on Part I of the register (together with a copy of any environmental statement served on the local planning authority pursuant to regulation 11).

(3) Where an application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent which relates to EIA development is determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall inform the public by issuing a press notice (or by such other means as he considers appropriate) and shall send to the local planning authority within whose area the land which is the subject of the application is situated (or, in relation to a development in, on, over or under the sea, such local planning authority or local planning authorities as the Secretary of State considers appropriate) a statement containing—

(a) the content of any decision and any conditions attached to any consent granted;

(b) the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based; and

(c) a description where necessary of the principal measures to avoid, reduce and offset the major adverse effects of the development,

and that local planning authority shall make such statement available for public inspection at all reasonable hours at the place where the register is kept.

(4) The Secretary of State shall also make the information contained in the press or other notice issued pursuant to paragraph (3) available to any EEA State consulted in accordance with regulation 12.

Procedure where Secretary of State receives an environmental statement

11.—(1) Where an applicant submits to the Secretary of State an environmental statement relating to an application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent and also serves a copy of the environmental statement on any appropriate consultative body, he shall—

(a) serve with it a copy of the application and any plan submitted with it (unless he has already served those documents on the consultative body in question);

(b) inform the consultative body that representations may be made to the Secretary of State; and

(c) inform the Secretary of State of the name of every consultative body whom he has so served and of the date on which he did so.

(2) Where the Secretary of State receives an environmental statement in connection with an application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent he shall within two weeks of receiving the environmental statement—

(a) give notice to—

(i) the appropriate consultative bodies upon whom the applicant has not served a copy of the environmental statement; and

(ii) any other person that in his opinion is likely to be concerned by the proposed development by reason of his specific environmental responsibilities,

that an environmental statement will be taken into consideration in determining the application, elicit whether any such consultative body or person wishes to receive a copy of the environmental statement and inform them that they may make representations or express their views; and

(b) give the applicant notice of the copies of the environmental statement required by those consultative bodies or persons and of the names and addresses of the consultative bodies or persons concerned.

(3) The applicant shall serve copies of the environmental statement on any consultative body or person of whom he receives notice pursuant to paragraph (2)(b) and shall inform the Secretary of State of the date on which he did so.

(4) The Secretary of State shall not determine the application until after the later of fourteen days from the last date on which a copy of the environmental statement was served in accordance with this regulation and the date stated in the notice published by the applicant pursuant to regulation 9(1).

Projects affecting other EEA States

12.—(1) Where—

(a) an applicant submits to the Secretary of State an application for EIA development and it appears to the Secretary of State that the proposed EIA development is likely to have significant effects on the environment in another EEA State; or

(b) another EEA State likely to be significantly affected by any proposed EIA development so requests,

the Secretary of State shall send to the EEA State in question as soon as possible and no later than the date on which the environmental statement in respect of that proposed EIA development is made available to the public in accordance with regulation 9 (except in a case where a request is made by an EEA State after that date)—

(i) a description of the proposed EIA development, together with any available information on its possible significant effects on the environment in the other EEA State; and

(ii) a notice explaining the nature of the decision as to whether or not to grant consent for the proposed EIA development and informing the EEA State in question that it may, within such reasonable period as may be specified in the notice, indicate that it wishes to participate in the procedure provided by these Regulations.

(2) Where an EEA State indicates that it wishes to participate in the procedure provided by these Regulations in relation to the proposed EIA development, the Secretary of State shall, save to the extent he has already done so, send to that EEA State—

(a) a copy of the application for consent in respect of the proposed EIA development;

(b) the environmental statement in respect of the proposed EIA development; and

(c) to the extent that it is not included in the items referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) and subject to regulation 15(2), any other available information which is relevant to the proposed EIA development.

(3) The Secretary of State, insofar as he is concerned, shall also—

(a) arrange for the information referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) to be made available, within a reasonable time, to the authorities referred to in Article 6(1) of Council Directive 85/337/EEC(12) and the public concerned in the territory of the EEA State likely to be significantly affected; and

(b) ensure that those authorities and the public concerned are given an opportunity, before consent for the development is given, to forward to the Secretary of State, within a reasonable time, their opinion on the information supplied.

(4) The Secretary of State shall enter into consultations with the EEA State concerned, for such reasonable period as may have been agreed with that EEA State, regarding, among other things, the possible significant effects of the proposed EIA development on the environment in that EEA State and the measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate such effects.

(5) Where the Secretary of State notifies an applicant for EIA development that the provisions of this regulation apply in respect of the development, the applicant shall not make available to the public in accordance with regulation 9 the items referred to in that regulation until the Secretary of State has notified the applicant that he has sent to the EEA State concerned the information referred to in paragraph (1)(i) and (ii).

Further information and evidence respecting an environmental statement

13.—(1) The Secretary of State, when dealing with an application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent in relation to which an environmental statement has been provided, may in writing require the applicant to provide such further information as may be specified concerning any matter which is required to be, or may be, dealt with in the environmental statement.

(2) The Secretary of State may in writing require an applicant to produce such evidence as he may reasonably call for to verify any information in the applicant’s environmental statement.

Publicity in relation to further information and timing of determination

14.—(1) In any case where an applicant for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent which relates to EIA development is required in accordance with regulation 13 to provide further information the applicant shall publish in two successive weeks in one or more local newspapers circulating in the locality in which the land to which the application relates is situated (or, if the proposed development is in, on, over or under the sea, in such newspapers as are likely to come to the attention of those likely to be affected by the proposed development) a notice containing the information specified in paragraph (2).

(2) A notice to which paragraph (1) applies shall—

(a) describe the application in question and state that further information is available supplementing the environmental statement which has already been produced;

(b) state that copies of the further information may be inspected at or obtained from an address in the locality in which the land to which the application relates is situated (or, if the proposed development is in, on, over or under the sea, an address in England and Wales) and specify the amount of any payment required to be paid for a copy of the further information; and

(c) state a date not less than four weeks after the date on which the notice is to be last published in accordance with paragraph (1) by which any person may make representations in relation to the further information to the Secretary of State and specify the address to which any such representations are to be sent.

(3) The applicant shall serve a copy of the further information on any person on whom was served a copy of the environmental statement under regulation 11(1) or 11(3) together with a copy of the notice mentioned in paragraph (1).

(4) A reasonable charge reflecting printing and distribution costs may be made in relation to the supply of a copy of the further information to any person except that the copies served pursuant to paragraph (3) shall be supplied free of charge.

(5) The Secretary of State shall not determine the application until after the later of fourteen days from the last date on which a copy of the further information was served in accordance with this regulation and the date stated in the notice published pursuant to paragraph (1).

PART V MISCELLANEOUS

Provision of information

15.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the consultative bodies (and any other person notified in accordance with regulation 11(2)(a)(ii)) shall, if requested by the applicant (or prospective applicant), or may without such a request, enter into consultation with the applicant to determine whether they have in their possession any information which they or the applicant consider relevant to the preparation of an environmental statement and, if they have any such information, they shall make it available to the applicant.

(2) Nothing in these Regulations shall require the disclosure of any information which is subject to an obligation of confidentiality under the law of England and Wales (including any information which is capable of being treated as confidential or must be so treated under regulation 4 of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992(13)).

Service of notices

16.  Any notice or other document to be sent, served or given under these Regulations may be sent, served or given either—

(a) by delivering it to the person on whom it is to be served or to whom it is to be given;

(b) by leaving it at the usual or last known place of abode of that person, or, in a case where an address for service has been given by that person, at that address;

(c) by sending it in a prepaid registered letter, or by the recorded delivery service, addressed to that person at his usual or last known place of abode, or, in a case where an address for service has been given by that person, at that address; or

(d) in the case of an incorporated company or body, by delivering it to the secretary or clerk of the company or body at its registered or principal office, or by sending it in a prepaid registered letter, or by the recorded delivery service, addressed to the secretary or clerk of the company or body at that office.

Revocation, transitional and savings

17.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Electricity and Pipe-line Works (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1990(14), the Electricity and Pipe-line Works (Assessment of Environmental Effects) (Amendment) Regulations 1996(15) and the Electricity and Pipe-line Works (Assessment of Environmental Effects) (Amendment) Regulations 1997(16) are hereby revoked.

(2) The regulations referred to in paragraph (1) shall continue to apply to any application for a section 36 consent or a section 37 consent within the meaning of the Electricity and Pipe-line Works (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1990 which was received before the date on which these Regulations come into force.

Helen Liddell,

Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe,

Department of Trade and Industry

17th July 2000