PART 6Assessment of plans and projects
CHAPTER 1General provisions
General provisions for protection of European sites and European offshore marine sites
Considerations of overriding public interest64
1
If the competent authority is satisfied that, there being no alternative solutions, the plan or project must be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest (which, subject to paragraph (2), may be of a social or economic nature), it may agree to the plan or project notwithstanding a negative assessment of the implications for the European site or the European offshore marine site (as the case may be).
2
Where the site concerned hosts a priority natural habitat type or a priority species, the reasons referred to in paragraph (1) must be either—
a
reasons relating to human health, public safety or beneficial consequences of primary importance to the environment; or
b
any other reasons which the competent authority, having due regard to the opinion of the F1appropriate authority, considers to be imperative reasons of overriding public interest.
3
Where a competent authority other than the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers desires to obtain the opinion of the F2appropriate authority as to whether reasons are to be considered imperative reasons of overriding public interest, it may submit a written request to the appropriate authority—
a
identifying the matter on which an opinion is sought; and
b
accompanied by any documents or information which may be required.
F34
In giving its opinion as to whether the reasons are imperative reasons of overriding public interest, the appropriate authority must have regard to the national interest, and provide its opinion to the competent authority.
F44A
Before giving its opinion as to whether the reasons are imperative reasons of overriding public interest, the appropriate authority must consult the following, and have regard to their opinion—
a
the Joint Nature Conservation Committee;
b
where the appropriate authority is the Secretary of State, the devolved administrations;
c
where the appropriate authority is the Welsh Ministers, the Secretary of State, and the other devolved administrations; and
d
any other person the appropriate authority considers appropriate.
5
Where a competent authority other than the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers proposes to agree to a plan or project under this regulation notwithstanding a negative assessment of the implications for the site concerned—
a
it must notify the appropriate authority; and
b
it must not agree to the plan or project before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day notified by the appropriate authority as that on which its notification was received, unless the appropriate authority notifies it that it may do so.
6
Without prejudice to any other power, the appropriate authority may give directions to the competent authority in any such case prohibiting it from agreeing to the plan or project, either indefinitely or during such period as may be specified in the direction.