18.—(1) Subject to regulation 9, an EIA application must be accompanied by an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations.
(2) A subsequent application is to be taken to be accompanied by an environmental statement for the purpose of paragraph (1) where the application for planning permission to which it relates was accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations, but this is subject to regulation 9.
(3) An environmental statement is a statement which includes at least—
(a)a description of the proposed development comprising information on the site, design, size and other relevant features of the development;
(b)a description of the likely significant effects of the proposed development on the environment;
(c)a description of any features of the proposed development, or measures envisaged in order to avoid, prevent or reduce and, if possible, offset likely significant adverse effects on the environment;
(d)a description of the reasonable alternatives studied by the developer, which are relevant to the proposed development and its specific characteristics, and an indication of the main reasons for the option chosen, taking into account the effects of the development on the environment;
(e)a non-technical summary of the information referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d); and
(f)any additional information specified in Schedule 4 relevant to the specific characteristics of the particular development or type of development and to the environmental features likely to be significantly affected.
(4) An environmental statement must—
(a)where a scoping opinion or direction has been issued in accordance with regulation 15 or 16, be based on the most recent scoping opinion or direction issued (so far as the proposed development remains materially the same as the proposed development which was subject to that opinion or direction);
(b)include the information reasonably required for reaching a reasoned conclusion on the significant effects of the development on the environment, taking into account current knowledge and methods of assessment; and
(c)be prepared, taking into account the results of any relevant UK environmental assessment, which are reasonably available to the person preparing the environmental statement, with a view to avoiding duplication of assessment.
(5) In order to ensure the completeness and quality of the environmental statement—
(a)the developer must ensure that the environmental statement is prepared by competent experts; and
(b)the environmental statement must be accompanied by a statement from the developer outlining the relevant expertise or qualifications of such experts.