The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017

Appeal to the Secretary of State without an environmental statement E+W

14.—(1) Where on consideration of an appeal under section 78 of the Act (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions) it appears to the Secretary of State that—

(a) the application to which the appeal relates (“the relevant application”) is a Schedule 1 application or a Schedule 2 application; and

(b) the development in question—

(i) has not been the subject of a screening opinion or screening direction; or

(ii) in the case of a relevant application which is a subsequent application, was the subject of a screening opinion or direction before planning permission was granted to the effect that it is not EIA development; and

(c) the relevant application is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the appellant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,

paragraphs (3) to (8) of regulation 7 apply as if the appeal were a request made by the appellant pursuant to regulation 6(10).

(2) Where an inspector is dealing with an appeal and a question arises as to whether the relevant application is an EIA application and it appears to the inspector that it may be such an application, the inspector must refer that question to the Secretary of State and must not determine the appeal, except by refusing planning permission or subsequent consent, before a screening direction is made.

(3) Paragraphs (3) to (8) of regulation 7 apply to a question referred under paragraph (2) as if the referral of that question were a request made by the appellant pursuant to regulation 6(10).

(4) Where regulation 7(3) applies to an appeal by virtue of paragraph (1) or (3) the Secretary of State must, where necessary to ensure that the developer has provided—

(a) in the case of a relevant application which is an application for planning permission, the information referred to in regulation 6(2); and

(b) in the case of a relevant application which is a subsequent application the information referred to in regulation 6(3),

make a request for additional information before issuing a screening direction.

(5) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that the relevant application is an EIA application and is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the appellant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations, the Secretary of State must notify the appellant in writing that the submission of an environmental statement is required and must send a copy of that notification to the relevant planning authority.

(6) Where the Secretary of State is aware that any particular person is or is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the application, and that particular person is unlikely to become aware of the application by means of a site notice or by local advertisement, the Secretary of State must notify the appellant of any such person.

(7) An appellant who receives a notification under paragraph (5), may within 3 weeks beginning with the date of the notification, confirm in writing to the Secretary of State that an environmental statement will be provided.

(8) If the appellant does not write in accordance with paragraph (7), the Secretary of State or, where relevant, the inspector, is not under a duty to deal with the appeal; and at the end of the period referred to in paragraph (7) must inform the appellant that no further action is being taken on the appeal.

(9) Where—

(a) a notification has been given under paragraph (5), and

(b) the appellant does not submit an environmental statement and comply with regulation 20(6),

the Secretary of State or, where relevant, the inspector, must determine the appeal only by refusing planning permission or subsequent consent.

(10) In this regulation, “Schedule 1 application” and “Schedule 2 application” are to be taken to include subsequent applications.