7.  Before regulation 8 (Variation of conditions of permit on application of operator), insert—

“Publicity regarding projects in other EEA States having a significant effect on the environment in the transboundary area

7A.— (1) Where, pursuant to Article 17(1) of the Directive, the Secretary of State receives from another EEA State information which that EEA State has gathered from the developer of a combustion installation in that EEA State which is likely to have significant effects on the environment of the transboundary area, the Secretary of State shall—

(a) enter into consultations with that EEA State regarding, inter alia, the potential significant negative effects of the proposed combustion installation on the environment of the transboundary area;

(b) arrange for the information received from that EEA State to be made available, within a reasonable time, both to the authorities in the United Kingdom which he considers are likely to be concerned by the combustion installation by reason of their particular environmental responsibilities, and to the public;

(c) ensure that those authorities and the public in the United Kingdom are given an opportunity, before a decision is reached, to forward to him their comments on the information supplied; and

(d) send to the competent authority of the EEA State such comments as he receives.

(2) The Secretary of State shall also, insofar as he has received such information, notify those authorities and the public concerned of the content of any decision of the competent authority of the EEA State, and in particular—

(a) a copy of the permit and any conditions and subsequent amendments to it; and

(b) the main reasons and considerations on which the decision was based including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public.”.