PART 3ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

Publicity16.

(1)

The appropriate authority must—

(a)

publicise the application and the environmental statement in respect of the project to which it relates (or, as the case may be, the provision of further information)—

(i)

by publishing, in two successive weeks, a notice containing the information set out in paragraph (2) in such newspapers or other publications as it thinks fit; and

(ii)

in such other manner (if any) as it considers appropriate; or

(b)

direct the applicant to do so.

(2)

The information referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i) is—

(a)

the applicant’s name and address;

(b)

a statement that an application for a licence or consent for a regulated activity has been made and that the environmental statement has been prepared or, as the case may be, that the further information has been furnished to the appropriate authority;

(c)

a statement of the nature, size and location of the project;

(d)

a brief explanation of the relevant legislation under which the application has been made;

(e)

the address of an office of the appropriate authority or other place nominated by the appropriate authority at which copies of the application and environmental statement or, as the case may be, the further information may be inspected free of charge at all reasonable hours within 42 days beginning with the date of publication of the notice;

(f)

the address at which copies of the application and environmental statement or, as the case may be, the further information may be obtained from the appropriate authority and, if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount (not exceeding a reasonable charge for copying), of the charge; and

(g)

a statement that any person wishing to make representations regarding the application and environmental statement or, as the case may be, the further information should make them in writing to the appropriate authority at an address specified by the appropriate authority, within 42 days beginning with the date of publication of the notice.

(3)

The applicant must comply with any reasonable direction made in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) and neither the regulator nor the appropriate authority need deal further with, or exercise any functions under these Regulations in relation to, the application, and the regulator must not reach its regulatory decision, unless or until this has been done.

(4)

Where the applicant has failed to comply with a direction made in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) within such reasonable period as the appropriate authority has specified, or such longer period as the appropriate authority may reasonably allow—

(a)

the regulator may treat the application as having been withdrawn, and

(b)

the appropriate authority (if the regulator is not also the appropriate authority) may direct the regulator to do so.

(5)

Neither the regulator nor the appropriate authority need deal further with, or exercise any functions under these Regulations in relation to, the application, and the regulator must not reach its regulatory decision, until the period for representations has expired.