F1The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016
The Welsh Ministers being designated for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 M1 in relation to the requirement for an assessment of the impact on the environment of projects likely to have significant effects on the environment, insofar as it concerns town and country planning M2, in exercise of the powers conferred by that section, section 71A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 M3, and having taken into account the selection criteria in Annex III to Directive 2011/92/EU M4 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment M5, as adopted on 13 December 2011, make the following Regulations.
PART 1General
Title, commencement and application1.
(1)
The title of these Regulations is the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016.
(2)
These Regulations come into force on 1 March 2016 except for regulation 38, Schedule 5 (local development orders) and Schedule 9, paragraph 8(3) which come into force on the date on which the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016 comes into force.
(3)
These Regulations apply in relation to Wales.
(4)
In relation to an application for planning permission made to the Welsh Ministers, Parts 2 to 7 of these Regulations apply only to the extent and in the way set out in Part 8.
Interpretation2.
(1)
In these Regulations—
“the 1990 Act” (“Deddf 1990”) means the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;
“the 1991 Act” (“Deddf 1991”) means the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 M6;
“the 1995 Act” (“Deddf 1995”) means the Environment Act 1995 M7;
“the 2012 Order” (“Gorchymyn 2012”) means the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012 M8;
“the 2016 Order” (“Gorchymyn 2016”) means the Developments of National Significance (Procedure) (Wales) Order 2016 M9;
“any other information” (“unrhyw wybodaeth arall”) means any other substantive information relating to the environmental statement and provided by the applicant or the appellant as the case may be;
“any particular person” (“unrhyw berson penodol”) includes any non-governmental organisation promoting environmental protection;
“by local advertisement” (“drwy hysbyseb lleol”), in relation to a notice, means—
(a)
by publication of the notice in a newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land is situated; and
(b)
where the relevant planning authority maintains a website for the purpose of advertisement of applications, by publication of the notice on the website;
“commencement date” (“dyddiad cychwyn”) means 1 March 2016;
“the consultees” (“yr ymgynghoreion”) means—
(a)
in respect of an application for planning permission made to the Welsh Ministers, any authority, body or person which they are required to consult by virtue of article 22 of the 2016 Order and the bodies referred to in sub-paragraph (c) if not already within this sub-paragraph;
(b)
any body which the relevant planning authority is required to consult, or would, if an application for planning permission for the development in question were before them, be required to consult by virtue of article 14 of the 2012 Order (consultations before the grant of permission) or of any direction under that article and the bodies referred to in sub-paragraph (c) if not already within this sub-paragraph;
(c)
the following bodies—
- (i)
any principal council for the area where the land is situated, if not the relevant planning authority; - (ii)
the Natural Resources Body for WalesM10; - (iii)
other bodies designated by statutory provision as having specific environmental responsibilities and which the relevant planning authority or the Welsh Ministers, as the case may be, consider are likely to have an interest in the application;
“the Directive” (“y Gyfarwyddeb”) means Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, as adopted on 13 December 2011;
“dwellinghouse” (“tŷ annedd”) means a building or part of a building which is used as a single private dwelling and for no other purpose;
“EIA application” (“cais AEA”) means—
(a)
an application for planning permission for EIA development; or
(b)
a subsequent application in respect of EIA development;
“EIA development” (“datblygiad AEA”) means development which is either—
(a)
Schedule 1 development; or
(b)
Schedule 2 development likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location;
“environmental information” (“gwybodaeth amgylcheddol”) means the environmental statement, including any further information and any other information, any representations made by any consultee and any representations duly made by any other person about the environmental effects of the development;
“environmental statement” (“datganiad amgylcheddol”) means a statement—
(a)
that includes such of the information referred to in Part 1 of Schedule 4 as is reasonably required to assess the environmental effects of the development and which the applicant or initiating body can reasonably be required to compile, having regard in particular to current knowledge and methods of assessment, but
(b)
that includes at least the information referred to in Part 2 of Schedule 4;
“exempt development” (“datblygiad esempt”) means development in respect of which the Welsh Ministers have made a direction under regulation 4(4);
“further information” (“gwybodaeth bellach”) has the meaning given in regulation 22(1);
“the General Regulations” (“yRheoliadau Cyffredinol”) means the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 M11;
“inspector” (“arolygydd”) means a person appointed by the Welsh Ministers to determine an appeal;
“the land” (“y tir”) means the land on which the development would be carried out or, in relation to development already carried out, has been carried out;
“local development order” (“gorchymyn datblygu lleol”) means a local development order made pursuant to section 61A of the 1990 Act M12;
“principal council” (“prif gyngor”) has the meaning given by section 270(1) (general provisions as to interpretation) of the Local Government Act 1972 M13;
“register” (“cofrestr”) means a register kept pursuant to section 69 of the 1990 Act (registers of applications etc.) M14 and “appropriate register” (“cofrestr briodol”) means the register on which particulars of an application for planning permission for the relevant development have been placed or would be placed if such an application were made;
“relevant planning authority” (“awdurdod cynllunio perthnasol”) means the body to whom it falls, fell, or would fall, to determine an application for planning permission for the development in question, but for—
(a)
the development being a development of national significance for the purposes of section 62D of the 1990 Act M15; or
(b)
a direction under section 77 of the 1990 Act (reference of applications to Secretary of State) M16;
“Schedule 1 application” (“cais Atodlen 1”) and “Schedule 2 application” (“cais Atodlen 2”) mean an application for planning permission for Schedule 1 development and Schedule 2 development respectively;
“Schedule 1 development” (“datblygiad Atodlen 1”) means development, other than exempt development, of a description mentioned in Schedule 1;
“Schedule 2 development” (“datblygiad Atodlen 2”) means development, other than exempt development, of a description mentioned in Column 1 of the table in Schedule 2 where—
(a)
any part of that development is to be carried out in a sensitive area; or
(b)
any applicable threshold or criterion in the corresponding part of Column 2 of that table is respectively met or exceeded in relation to that development;
“scoping direction” (“cyfarwyddyd cwmpasu”) means a written direction of the Welsh Ministers as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement;
“scoping opinion” (“barn gwmpasu”) means a written opinion of the relevant planning authority as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement;
“screening direction” (“cyfarwyddyd sgrinio”) means a direction made by the Welsh Ministers as to whether development is EIA development;
“screening opinion” (“barn sgrinio”) means a written opinion of the relevant planning authority as to whether development is EIA development;
“sensitive area” (“ardal sensitif”) means any of the following—
(a)
land notified under section 28(1) (sites of special scientific interest) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 M17;
(b)
a National Park within the meaning of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 M18;
(c)
a property appearing on the World Heritage List kept under article 11(2) of the 1972 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage M19;
(d)
a scheduled monument within the meaning of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 M20;
(e)
an area of outstanding natural beauty designated as such by an order made under section 82(2) (areas of outstanding natural beauty) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 M21;
(f)
a European site within the meaning of regulation 8 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 M22;
“subsequent application” (“cais dilynol”) means an application for consent, agreement or approval of a matter where the approval—
(a)
is required by or under a condition to which a planning permission is subject; and
(b)
must be obtained before all or part of the development permitted by the planning permission may be begun;
“subsequent consent” (“caniatâd dilynol”) means consent, agreement or approval granted pursuant to a subsequent application.
(2)
Subject to paragraph (3), expressions used both in these Regulations and in the 1990 Act have the same meaning for the purposes of these Regulations as they have for the purposes of the 1990 Act.
(3)
Expressions used both in these Regulations and in the Directive (whether or not also used in the 1990 Act) have the same meaning for the purposes of these Regulations as they have for the purposes of the Directive.
(4)
In these Regulations references to the Welsh Ministers must not be construed as references to an inspector.
(5)
Where a body may, or is required to, state, notify, request, confirm, inform or make representations, that body must do so in writing.
(6)
Any notice or other document to be sent, served or given under these Regulations may be served or given in a manner specified in section 329 of the 1990 Act (service of notices) M23.
Prohibition on granting planning permission or subsequent consent without consideration of environmental information3.
(1)
This regulation applies—
(a)
to every application for planning permission for EIA development received on or after the commencement date;
(b)
to every application for planning permission for EIA development lodged by an authority pursuant to regulation 3 (applications for planning permission) of the General Regulations on or after the commencement date;
(c)
to every subsequent application in respect of EIA development received on or after the commencement date; and
(d)
to every subsequent application in respect of EIA development lodged by an authority pursuant to regulation 11 of the General Regulations on or after the commencement date.
(2)
For the purposes of paragraph (1), the date of receipt of an application by an authority is—
(a)
in respect of an application made under section 62D of the 1990 Act, the date of acceptance of the application in accordance with article 15 of the 2016 Order; and
(b)
determined in accordance with article 22(3) (time periods for decisions) of the 2012 Order in respect of other applications.
(3)
The relevant planning authority or the Welsh Ministers or an inspector must not grant planning permission or subsequent consent pursuant to an application to which this regulation applies unless they have taken the environmental information into consideration, and they must state in their decision that they have done so.
PART 2Screening
General provisions relating to screening4.
(1)
Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the occurrence of an event mentioned in paragraph (2) determines for the purpose of these Regulations that development is EIA development.
(2)
The events referred to in paragraph (1) are—
(a)
the submission by the applicant or appellant in relation to that development of a statement referred to by the applicant or appellant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations; or
(b)
the adoption by the relevant planning authority of a screening opinion to the effect that the development is EIA development.
(3)
A direction of the Welsh Ministers determines for the purpose of these Regulations whether development is or is not EIA development.
(4)
The Welsh Ministers may direct that these Regulations do not apply in relation to a particular proposed development specified in the direction F2in exceptional circumstances, without prejudice to regulations 56 and 57.
(5)
Where a direction is given under paragraph (4) the Welsh Ministers must—
(a)
send a copy of any such direction to the relevant planning authority;
(b)
make available to the public the information considered in making the direction and the reasons for making the direction;
(c)
consider whether another form of assessment would be appropriate; and
(d)
take such steps they consider appropriate to bring the information obtained under the other form of assessment to the attention of the public.
(6)
Where a local planning authority or the Welsh Ministers have to decide under these Regulations whether Schedule 2 development is EIA development, the authority or the Welsh Ministers must take into account in making that decision such of the selection criteria set out in Schedule 3 as are relevant to the development.
(7)
Where a local planning authority adopt a screening opinion, or the Welsh Ministers make a screening direction—
(a)
that opinion or direction must be accompanied by a statement giving clearly and precisely the full reasons for that conclusion; and
(b)
the authority or the Welsh Ministers, as the case may be, must send a copy of the opinion or direction and a copy of the statement required by sub-paragraph (a) to the person who proposes to carry out, or who has carried out, the development in question.
(8)
The Welsh Ministers may make a screening direction either—
(a)
of their own volition; or
(b)
if requested to do so by any person.
(9)
The Welsh Ministers may direct that particular development of a description mentioned in Column 1 of the table in Schedule 2 is EIA development in spite of the fact that none of the conditions contained in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of “Schedule 2 development” is satisfied in relation to that development.
(10)
The Welsh Ministers must send a copy of any screening direction and a copy of the statement required by paragraph (7)(a) to the relevant planning authority.
Requests for screening opinions5.
(1)
A person who is minded to carry out development may request the relevant planning authority to adopt a screening opinion.
(2)
A request for a screening opinion in relation to an application for planning permission must be accompanied by—
(a)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)
a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and
(c)
such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(3)
A request for a screening opinion in relation to a subsequent application must be accompanied by—
(a)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)
sufficient information to enable the relevant planning authority to identify any planning permission granted for the development in respect of which a subsequent application has been made;
(c)
a description of the likely effects on the environment which were not identified at the time that the planning permission was granted; and
(d)
such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(4)
An authority receiving a request for a screening opinion must, if they consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to adopt an opinion, notify the person making the request of the points on which they require additional information.
(5)
An authority must adopt a screening opinion within 21 days beginning with the date of receipt of a request made pursuant to paragraph (1) or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the person making the request.
(6)
An authority which adopts a screening opinion pursuant to paragraph (5) must send a copy to the person who made the request.
(7)
Where an authority—
(a)
fails to adopt a screening opinion pursuant to paragraph (5); or
(b)
adopts an opinion to the effect that the development is EIA development;
the person who requested the opinion may request the Welsh Ministers to make a screening direction.
(8)
The person may make a request pursuant to paragraph (7) even if the authority have not received additional information which they have sought under paragraph (4).
Requests for screening directions of the Welsh Ministers6.
(1)
A person who pursuant to regulation 5(7) requests the Welsh Ministers to make a screening direction (a “person making a request”) must submit with the request—
(a)
a copy of the request to the relevant planning authority under regulation 5(1) and the documents which accompanied it;
(b)
a copy of any notification received under regulation 5(4) and of any response sent;
(c)
a copy of any screening opinion received from the authority and of any accompanying statement of reasons; and
(d)
any representations that the person wishes to make.
(2)
A person making a request must send to the relevant planning authority a copy of that request and the representations that person makes to the Welsh Ministers.
(3)
If the Welsh Ministers consider that sufficient information to make a screening direction has not been provided, they must give notice to the person making the request.
(4)
The notice must specify the points on which additional information is required.
(5)
The Welsh Ministers may also request the relevant planning authority to provide such information as they can on any of those points.
(6)
The Welsh Ministers must make a screening direction within 21 days beginning with the date of receipt of a request pursuant to regulation 5(7) or such longer period as may be reasonably required.
(7)
The Welsh Ministers must send a copy of any screening direction made pursuant to paragraph (6) to the person who made the request as soon as reasonably practicable.
PART 3Procedures Concerning Applications for Planning Permission
Applications which appear to require screening opinion7.
Where it appears to the relevant planning authority that—
(a)
an application which is before them for determination is a Schedule 1 application or a Schedule 2 application;
(b)
the development in question has not been the subject of a screening opinion or screening direction; and
(c)
the application is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,
paragraphs (4) and (5) of regulation 5 apply as if the receipt or lodging of the application were a request made under regulation 5(1).
Subsequent applications where environmental information previously provided8.
(1)
This regulation applies where it appears to the relevant planning authority that—
(a)
an application which is before them for determination—
(i)
is a subsequent application in relation to Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 development;
(ii)
has not itself been the subject of a screening opinion or screening direction; and
(iii)
is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations; and
(b)
the original application was accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations.
(2)
Where it appears to the relevant planning authority that the environmental information already before them is adequate to assess the environmental effects of the development, they must take that information into consideration in their decision for subsequent consent.
(3)
Where it appears to the relevant planning authority that the environmental information already before them is not adequate to assess the environmental effects of the development, they must serve a notice seeking further information in accordance with regulation 22(1).
Subsequent applications where environmental information not previously provided9.
Where it appears to the relevant planning authority that—
(a)
an application which is before them for determination—
(i)
is a subsequent application in relation to Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 development;
(ii)
has not itself been the subject of a screening opinion or screening direction; and
(iii)
is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations; and
(b)
the original application was not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,
paragraphs (4) and (5) of regulation 5 apply as if the receipt or lodging of the application were a request made under regulation 5(1).
Application made to a local planning authority without an environmental statement10.
(1)
Where an EIA application before a local planning authority for determination is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations, the authority must notify the applicant that the submission of an environmental statement is required.
(2)
Where the relevant planning authority is aware that any particular person is or is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the application, who is unlikely to become aware of it by means of electronic publication, a site notice or by local advertisement, the relevant planning authority must notify the applicant of any such person.
(3)
An authority must notify the applicant in accordance with paragraph (1)—
(a)
within 21 days beginning with the date of receipt of the application or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the applicant; or
(b)
where the Welsh Ministers, after the expiry of that 21 days or any longer agreed period, make a screening direction to the effect that the development is EIA development, within 7 days beginning with the date the authority received a copy of that screening direction.
(4)
An applicant receiving a notification pursuant to paragraph (1) may, within 21 days beginning with the date of the notification, write to the authority stating—
(a)
that the applicant accepts their view and is providing an environmental statement; or
(b)
unless the condition referred to in paragraph (5) is satisfied, that the applicant is writing to the Welsh Ministers to request a screening direction.
(5)
For the purpose of paragraph (4)(b) the condition is that the Welsh Ministers have made a screening direction—
(a)
in respect of the development, in the case of an application for planning permission; or
(b)
pursuant to a subsequent application,
(c)
as the case may be.
(6)
If the applicant does not write to the authority in accordance with paragraph (4), the permission or subsequent consent sought is deemed to be refused at the end of the relevant 21 days, unless the condition referred to in paragraph (7) is satisfied and the deemed refusal—
(a)
is treated as a decision of the authority for the purposes of article 29(3)(c) (register of applications) of the 2012 Order; but
(b)
does not give rise to an appeal to the Welsh Ministers under section 78 of the 1990 Act (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions) M24.
(7)
For the purpose of paragraph (6) the condition is that the Welsh Ministers have made a screening direction to the effect that the development is not EIA development—
(a)
in the case of an application for planning permission; or
(b)
pursuant to a subsequent application,
as the case may be.
(8)
Unless the Welsh Ministers make a screening direction to the effect that the development is not EIA development an authority which has given a notification in accordance with paragraph (1) must determine the relevant application only by refusing planning permission or subsequent consent if the applicant does not submit an environmental statement and comply with regulation 17(6).
(9)
A person who requests a screening direction pursuant to paragraph (4)(b) must send to the Welsh Ministers with the request copies of—
(a)
the application;
(b)
all documents sent to the authority as part of the application;
(c)
all correspondence between the applicant and the authority relating to the proposed development;
(d)
a copy of any planning permission granted for the development; and
(e)
in the case of a subsequent application, relevant documents or information relating to the planning permission granted for the development,
and paragraphs (2) to (7) of regulation 6 apply to a request under this regulation as they apply to a request made pursuant to regulation 5(7).
Application referred to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement11.
(1)
Where an application has been referred to the Welsh Ministers for determination under section 77 of the 1990 Act (reference of applications to the Welsh Ministers) M25, and it appears to the Welsh Ministers that—
(a)
it is an EIA application;
(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 subsequent application, was the subject of a screening opinion or direction before planning permission was granted to the effect that it was not EIA development; and
(c)
the application is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,
paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 6 apply as if the referral of the application were a request made by the applicant pursuant to regulation 5(7).
(2)
Where an application has been referred to the Welsh Ministers for determination, and it appears to the Welsh Ministers that—
(a)
it is an EIA application,
(b)
paragraph (1)(b) does not apply; and
(c)
the application is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,
the Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant that the submission of an environmental statement is required and must send a copy of that notification to the relevant planning authority.
(3)
The Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant in accordance with paragraph (2) within 21 days beginning with the date the application was received or such longer period as may be reasonably required.
(4)
Where the Welsh Ministers are aware that any particular person is or is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the application, who is unlikely to become aware of it by means of electronic publication, a site notice or by local advertisement, they must notify the applicant of any such person.
(5)
An applicant who receives a notification under paragraph (2) may, within 21 days beginning with the date of the notification, confirm to the Welsh Ministers that an environmental statement will be provided.
(6)
If the applicant does not write in accordance with paragraph (5), the Welsh Ministers do not have a duty to deal with the application and at the end of the 21 days they must inform the applicant that no further action is being taken on the application.
(7)
Where—
(a)
a notification has been given under paragraph (2), and
(b)
the applicant does not submit an environmental statement which complies with regulation 17(6),
the Welsh Ministers must determine the relevant application only by refusing planning permission or subsequent consent.
Appeal to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement12.
(1)
Where, on consideration of an appeal under section 78 of the 1990 Act (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions) it appears to the Welsh Ministers that—
(a)
the relevant application is an EIA 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 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) and (4) of regulation 6 apply as if the appeal were a request made by the appellant pursuant to regulation 5(7).
(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 Welsh Ministers and must not determine the appeal before a screening direction is made, except by refusing planning permission or subsequent consent.
(3)
Paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 6 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 5(7).
(4)
Where it appears to the Welsh Ministers 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, they must notify the appellant that the submission of an environmental statement is required and must send a copy of that notification to the relevant planning authority.
(5)
Where the Welsh Ministers are aware that any particular person is or is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the application, who is unlikely to become aware of it by means of electronic publication, a site notice or by local advertisement, they must notify the appellant of any such person.
(6)
An appellant who receives a notification under paragraph (4), may within 21 days beginning with the date of the notification, confirm to the Welsh Ministers that an environmental statement will be provided.
(7)
If the appellant does not write in accordance with paragraph (6), the Welsh Ministers have or, where relevant, the inspector has, no duty to deal with the appeal; and at the end of the 21 days the Welsh Ministers, or the inspector, must inform the appellant that no further action is being taken on the appeal.
(8)
Where—
(a)
a notification has been given under paragraph (4), and
(b)
the appellant does not submit an environmental statement and comply with regulation 17(6),
the Welsh Ministers or, where relevant, the inspector must determine the appeal only by refusing planning permission or subsequent consent.
PART 4Preparation of Environmental Statements
Scoping opinions13.
(1)
A person who is minded to make an EIA application may ask the relevant planning authority to provide a scoping opinion.
(2)
A request under paragraph (1) must include—
(a)
in relation to an application for planning permission—
(i)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(ii)
a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and
(iii)
such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make;
(b)
in relation to a subsequent application—
(i)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(ii)
sufficient information to enable the relevant planning authority to identify any planning permission granted for the development in respect of which a subsequent application has been made;
(iii)
a description of the possible effects on the environment which were not identified at the time planning permission was granted; and
(iv)
such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(3)
An authority receiving a request under paragraph (1) must, if they consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to adopt a scoping opinion, notify the person who made the request of the points on which they require additional information.
(4)
An authority must not adopt a scoping opinion in response to a request under paragraph (1) until they have consulted the person who made the request and the consultees, but must, subject to paragraph (5), within 5 weeks beginning with the date of receipt of that request or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the person who made the request, adopt a scoping opinion and send a copy to the person who made the request.
(5)
Where a person has, at the same time as making a request for a screening opinion under regulation 5(1), asked the authority for an opinion under paragraph (1) above, and the authority have adopted a screening opinion to the effect that the development is EIA development, the authority must, within 5 weeks beginning with the date on which that screening opinion was adopted or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the person who made the request, adopt a scoping opinion and send a copy to the person who made the request.
(6)
Before adopting a scoping opinion the authority must take into account—
(a)
the specific characteristics of the particular development;
(b)
the specific characteristics of development of the type concerned; and
(c)
the environmental features likely to be affected by the development.
(7)
Where an authority fail to adopt a scoping opinion within the relevant period mentioned in paragraph (4) or (5), the person who requested the opinion may ask the Welsh Ministers under regulation 14(1) to make a scoping direction.
(8)
Paragraph (7) applies even if the authority has not received additional information which they have sought under paragraph (3).
(9)
Nothing prevents an authority which have adopted a scoping opinion from requiring the person who made the request to provide additional information.
(10)
“Additional information” (“gwybodaeth ychwanegol”) in paragraph (9) means information in connection with any statement that may be submitted by that person as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations in connection with an application for planning permission or a subsequent application for the same development.
Scoping directions14.
(1)
A request made under this paragraph pursuant to regulation 13(7) must include—
(a)
a copy of the request to the relevant planning authority under regulation 13(1);
(b)
a copy of any relevant notification under regulation 13(3) and of any response;
(c)
a copy of any relevant screening opinion received by the person making the request and of the accompanying statement of reasons; and
(d)
any representations that the person making the request wishes to make.
(2)
A person making a request must send to the relevant planning authority a copy of that request, but that copy need not include the matters mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) to (c).
(3)
If the Welsh Ministers consider that the information provided pursuant to paragraph (1) is insufficient to make a scoping direction, the Welsh Ministers must give notice to the person making the request.
(4)
The notice must set out any points on which additional information is required.
(5)
The Welsh Ministers may also request the relevant planning authority to provide such information as they can on any of those points.
(6)
The Welsh Ministers must—
(a)
consult the person making the request and the consultees before making a scoping direction in response to a request under paragraph (1), and
(b)
make a direction and send a copy to the person making the request and to the relevant planning authority, within 5 weeks beginning with the date of receipt of that request or such longer period as may be reasonably required.
(7)
Before making a scoping direction the Welsh Ministers must take into account the matters specified in regulation 13(6).
(8)
Nothing prevents the Welsh Ministers, (after they have made a scoping direction) nor the relevant planning authority from requiring the person making the request to provide additional information.
(9)
“Additional information” (“gwybodaeth ychwanegol”) in paragraph (8) means information in connection with any statement that may be submitted by that person as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations in connection with an application for planning permission or a subsequent application for the same development.
Procedure to facilitate preparation of environmental statements15.
(1)
Any person who intends to submit an environmental statement to the relevant planning authority or the Welsh Ministers under these Regulations may give notice to that authority or the Welsh Ministers under this paragraph.
(2)
A notice under paragraph (1) must include the information necessary to identify the land and the nature and purpose of the development, and must indicate the main environmental consequences to which the person giving the notice proposes to refer in the environmental statement.
(3)
The recipient of—
(a)
such notice as is mentioned in paragraph (1); or
(b)
a statement or confirmation made pursuant to regulation 10(4)(a), 11(5) or 12(6) must—
(i)
notify the consultees of the name and address of the person who intends to submit an environmental statement and of the duty imposed on the consultees by paragraph (4) to make information available to that person; and
(ii)
inform the person who intends to submit an environmental statement of the names and addresses of the consultees so notified.
(4)
Subject to paragraph (5), the relevant planning authority and any consultee notified in accordance with paragraph (3) must, if requested by the person who intends to submit an environmental statement, enter into consultation with that person to determine whether the authority or consultee has in its possession any information which that person considers, or they consider, relevant to the preparation of the environmental statement. If they have, the authority or consultee must make that information available to that person.
(5)
A relevant planning authority or consultee which receives a request for information under paragraph (4) must treat it as a request for information under regulation 5(1) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 M26.
PART 5Publicity and Procedures on Submission of Environmental Statements
Procedure where an environmental statement is submitted to a local planning authority16.
(1)
An applicant who makes an EIA application to the relevant planning authority must also submit a statement, intended to be an environmental statement and must provide the authority with one additional copy of the statement for transmission to the Welsh Ministers.
(2)
If at the same time as it makes an EIA application the applicant serves a copy of the statement on any other body, the applicant must—
(a)
serve with it a copy of the application and any plan submitted with the application (unless these have already been provided to the body in question);
(b)
inform the body that representations may be made to the relevant planning authority; and
(c)
inform the authority of the name of every body so served and of the date of service.
(3)
When a relevant planning authority receive an environmental statement, the authority must—
(a)
send to the Welsh Ministers, within 14 days of receipt of the statement, one copy of the statement, a copy of the relevant application and of any documents submitted with the application;
(b)
inform the applicant of the number of copies required to enable the authority to comply with sub-paragraph (c);
(c)
forward to any consultee which has not received a copy direct from the applicant, a copy of the statement and inform any such consultee that they may make representations;
(d)
where the relevant planning authority are aware of any particular person who is or is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the application, who is unlikely to become aware of it by means of electronic publication, a site notice or by local advertisement, send a notice to such person containing the details set out in regulation 17(2)(b) to (j) and the name and address of the relevant planning authority.
(4)
The applicant must send the copies required for the purposes of paragraph (3)(c) to the relevant planning authority.
(5)
Where an applicant submits an environmental statement to the authority in accordance with paragraph (1), the provisions of article 12 of and Schedule 3 to the 2012 Order (publicity for applications for planning permission) apply to a subsequent application as they apply to a planning application falling within article 12(2) of the 2012 Order as if the reference in the notice in Schedule 3 to the 2012 Order to “planning permission to” read “consent, agreement or approval to”.
(6)
The relevant planning authority must not determine the application until the expiry of 21 days from the last date on which a copy of the statement was served in accordance with this regulation.
Publicity where an environmental statement is submitted after the planning application17.
(1)
Where an application for planning permission or a subsequent application has been made without an environmental statement and the applicant proposes to submit such a statement, the applicant must, before submitting it, comply with paragraphs (2) to (5).
(2)
The applicant must publish in a local newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land is situated a notice stating—
(a)
the applicant's name, that an application is being made for planning permission or subsequent consent and the name and address of the relevant planning authority;
(b)
the date on which the application was made and, if it be the case, that it has been referred to the Welsh Ministers for determination or is the subject of an appeal to the Welsh Ministers;
(c)
the address or location and the nature of the proposed development;
(d)
that—
(i)
a copy of the application, any accompanying plan and other documents, and a copy of the environmental statement, and
(ii)
in the case of a subsequent application, a copy of the planning permission in respect of which that application has been made and supporting documents,
may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours;
(e)
an address in the locality in which the land is situated at which those documents may be inspected, and the latest date on which they are available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published);
(f)
an address (whether or not the same as that given under sub-paragraph (e)) in the locality in which the land is situated at which copies of the statement may be obtained;
(g)
that copies may be obtained there so long as stocks last;
(h)
if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge;
(i)
that any person wishing to make representations about the application should make them, before the date stated in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), to the relevant planning authority or (in the case of an application referred to the Welsh Ministers or an appeal) to the Welsh Ministers; and
(j)
in the case of an application referred to the Welsh Ministers or an appeal, the address, including an electronic address, to which representations should be sent.
(3)
An applicant who is notified under regulation 10(2), 11(4) or 12(5) of such a person as mentioned in any of those paragraphs must serve a notice on every such person; and the notice must contain the information specified in paragraph (2), except that the date stated as the latest date on which the documents are available for inspection must not be less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is first served.
(4)
The applicant must, where it has the right to, or can reasonably acquire the right to, post on the land a notice containing the information specified in paragraph (2), except that the date stated as the latest date on which the documents will be available for inspection must be not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is first posted.
(5)
The notice mentioned in paragraph (4) must—
(a)
be left in position for not less than 7 days in the 28 days immediately preceding the date of the submission of the statement; and
(b)
be affixed firmly to some object on the land and sited and displayed in such a way as to be easily visible to, and readable by, members of the public without going on to the land.
(6)
The statement, when submitted, must be accompanied by—
(a)
a copy of the notice mentioned in paragraph (2) certified by or on behalf of the applicant as having been published in a named newspaper on a date specified in the certificate; and
(b)
a certificate by or on behalf of the applicant which states either—
(i)
that a notice was posted on the land in compliance with this regulation and when this was done, and that the notice was left in position for not less than 7 days in the 28 days immediately preceding the date of the submission of the statement, or that, without any fault or intention on the applicant's part, it was removed, obscured or defaced before 7 days had elapsed and the applicant took reasonable steps for its protection or replacement, specifying the steps taken; or
(ii)
that the applicant was unable to comply with paragraphs (4) and (5) because the applicant did not have the necessary rights to do so; that any reasonable steps available to acquire those rights have been taken but unsuccessfully, specifying the steps taken.
(7)
Where an applicant indicates that the applicant proposes to provide a statement in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (1), the relevant planning authority, the Welsh Ministers or the inspector, as the case may be, must (unless disposed to refuse the permission or subsequent consent sought) suspend consideration of the application or appeal until receipt of the statement and the other documents mentioned in paragraph (6); and must not determine the application or appeal during the period of 21 days beginning with the date of receipt of the statement and the other documents so mentioned.
(8)
If any person—
(a)
issues a certificate which purports to comply with the requirements of paragraph (6)(b), or
(b)
recklessly issues a certificate which purports to comply with those requirements
and which contains a statement which that person knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, that person is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(9)
Where it is proposed to submit an environmental statement in connection with an appeal, this regulation applies as if references to the applicant were references to the appellant.
Provision of copies of environmental statements and further information for the Welsh Ministers on referral or appeal18.
Where an applicant for planning permission or subsequent consent has submitted an environmental statement, or further information, to the relevant planning authority in connection with that application and—
(a)
the application is referred to the Welsh Ministers under section 77 of the 1990 Act (reference of applications to Secretary of State); or
(b)
the applicant appeals under section 78 of the 1990 Act (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions),
the applicant must supply the Welsh Ministers with one copy of the statement and, where relevant, the further information unless, in the case of a referred application, the relevant planning authority have already done so.
Procedure where an environmental statement is submitted to the Welsh Ministers19.
(1)
This regulation applies where an applicant or appellant submits an environmental statement to the Welsh Ministers, in relation to an EIA application which is—
(a)
before the Welsh Ministers or an inspector for determination; or
(b)
the subject of an appeal to the Welsh Ministers.
(2)
The applicant or appellant must submit two copies of the statement to the Welsh Ministers who must send one copy to the relevant planning authority.
(3)
An applicant or appellant who submits an environmental statement to the Welsh Ministers may provide a copy of it to any other body, and if so must—
(a)
comply with regulation 16(2)(a) and (b) as if the reference in regulation 16(2)(b) to the relevant planning authority were a reference to the Welsh Ministers; and
(b)
inform the Welsh Ministers of the matters mentioned in regulation 16(2)(c).
(4)
The Welsh Ministers must comply with regulation 16(3) (except sub-paragraph (a) of that regulation) and the applicant or appellant must comply with regulation 16(4) as if—
(a)
references in those provisions to the relevant planning authority were references to the Welsh Ministers; and,
(b)
in the case of an appeal, references to the applicant were references to the appellant,
and the Welsh Ministers or the inspector must comply with regulation 16(6) as if it referred to the Welsh Ministers or the inspector instead of the relevant planning authority.
Availability of copies of environmental statements20.
An applicant or appellant, who submits an environmental statement in connection with an application or appeal, must ensure that a reasonable number of copies of the statement are available at the address named in the notices published or posted pursuant to article 12 of the 2012 Order or regulation 17(2)(f) as the address at which such copies may be obtained.
Charges for copies of environmental statements21.
A reasonable charge reflecting printing and distribution costs may be made to a member of the public for a copy of a statement made available in accordance with regulation 20.
Further information and evidence in respect of environmental statements22.
(1)
If a relevant planning authority, the Welsh Ministers or inspector dealing with an application or appeal in relation to which the applicant or appellant has submitted an environmental statement, are of the opinion that the statement should contain additional information in order to be an environmental statement, the relevant planning authority, the Welsh Ministers or inspector must notify the applicant or appellant accordingly and the applicant or appellant must provide that additional information; and such additional information is referred to in these Regulations as “further information” (“gwybodaeth bellach”).
(2)
Paragraphs (3) to (9) apply in relation to further information and any other information except in so far as—
(a)
the further information and any other information is provided for the purposes of an inquiry or hearing held under the 1990 Act; and
(b)
the request for the further information made pursuant to paragraph (1) stated that it was to be provided for such purposes.
(3)
The recipient of further information or any other information must publish in a local newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land is situated a notice stating—
(a)
the name of the applicant for planning permission or subsequent consent, or the appellant (as the case may be), and the name and address of the relevant planning authority;
(b)
the date on which the application was made and, if it is the case, that it has been referred to the Welsh Ministers for determination or is the subject of an appeal to the Welsh Ministers;
(c)
in the case of a subsequent application, sufficient information to enable the planning permission for the development to be identified;
(d)
the address or location and the nature of the proposed development;
(e)
that further information or any other information is available in relation to an environmental statement which has already been provided;
(f)
that a copy of the further information or any other information and of any environmental statement which relates to any planning permission or subsequent application may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours;
(g)
an address in the locality in which the land is situated at which the further information or any other information may be inspected and the latest date on which it will be available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published);
(h)
an address in the locality in which the land is situated (whether or not the same as that given pursuant to sub-paragraph (g)) at which copies of the further information or any other information may be obtained;
(i)
that copies may be obtained there so long as stocks last;
(j)
if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge;
(k)
that any person wishing to make representations about the further information or any other information should make them, before the date stated in accordance with sub-paragraph (g), to the relevant planning authority, the Welsh Ministers or the inspector (as the case may be); and
(l)
the address to which representations should be sent.
(4)
The recipient of the further information or any other information must send a copy of it to each person to whom, in accordance with these Regulations, the statement to which it relates was sent.
(5)
Where the recipient of the further information or any other information is the relevant planning authority they must send to the Welsh Ministers one copy of the further information.
(6)
The recipient of the further information may by notice require the applicant or appellant to provide such number of copies of the further information or any other information as is specified in the notice (being the number required for the purposes of paragraph (4) or (5)).
(7)
Where information is requested under paragraph (1) or any other information is provided, the relevant planning authority, the Welsh Ministers or the inspector, as the case may be,—
(a)
must suspend determination of the application or appeal; and
(b)
must not determine it before—
(i)
the expiry of 21 days after the date on which the further information or any other information was sent to all persons to whom the statement to which it relates was sent, or
(ii)
the expiry of 21 days after the date that notice of it was published in a local newspaper,
whichever is the later.
(8)
The applicant or appellant who provides further information or any other information, in accordance with paragraph (1) must ensure that a reasonable number of copies of the information are available at the address named in the notice published pursuant to paragraph (3)(h) as the address at which such copies may be obtained.
(9)
A reasonable charge reflecting printing and distribution costs may be made to a member of the public for a copy of the further information or any other information, made available in accordance with paragraph (8).
(10)
The relevant planning authority or the Welsh Ministers or an inspector may require an applicant or appellant to produce such evidence as they may reasonably call for to verify any information in the environmental statement.
PART 6Availability of Directions etc. and Notification of Decisions
Availability of opinions, directions etc. for inspection23.
(1)
Where particulars of a planning application or a subsequent application are placed on Part 1 of the register, the relevant planning authority must take steps to secure that there is also placed on that Part a copy of any—
(a)
screening opinion;
(b)
screening direction;
(c)
scoping opinion;
(d)
scoping direction;
(e)
notification given under regulation 10(1), 11(2) or 12(4);
(f)
direction under regulation 4(4);
(g)
environmental statement, including any further information and any other information;
(h)
statement of reasons accompanying any of the above.
(2)
Where the relevant planning authority—
(a)
adopt a screening opinion or scoping opinion; or
(b)
receive a request under regulation 13(1) or 14(1), a copy of a screening direction, scoping direction, or direction under regulation 4(4) before an application is made for planning permission or subsequent consent for the development in question,
the authority must take steps to secure that a copy of the opinion, request, or direction and any accompanying statement of reasons are made available for public inspection at all reasonable hours at the place where the appropriate register (or relevant section of that register) is kept.
(3)
Copies of the documents referred to in paragraph (2) must remain so available for a period of two years from the date on which they are placed on the register.
Duties to inform the public and the Welsh Ministers of final decisions24.
(1)
Where an EIA application is determined by a local planning authority, the authority must—
(a)
inform the Welsh Ministers of the decision;
(b)
inform the public of the decision, by local advertisement, or by such other means as are reasonable in the circumstances; and
(c)
make available for public inspection at the place where the appropriate register (or relevant section of that register) is kept, a statement containing—
(i)
the content of the decision and any conditions attached to it;
(ii)
the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public;
(iii)
a description, where necessary, of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the development; and
(iv)
information regarding the right to challenge the validity of the decision and the procedures for doing so.
(2)
Where an EIA application is determined by the Welsh Ministers or an inspector, the Welsh Ministers must—
(a)
notify the relevant planning authority of the decision; and
(b)
provide the authority with such a statement as is mentioned in paragraph (1)(c).
(3)
The relevant planning authority must, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a notification under paragraph (2)(a), comply with sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph (1) in relation to the decision so notified as if it were a decision of the authority.
PART 7Development By a Local Planning Authority
Modifications where application by a local planning authority25.
Where the relevant planning authority is also (or would be) the applicant (whether alone or jointly with any other person), these Regulations apply to an EIA application (or proposed application) subject to the following modifications—
(a)
subject to regulation 26(1) and (2), regulations 5 and 6 do not apply;
(b)
regulation 7 applies as if the reference to regulation 5(4) and (5) were omitted;
(c)
regulation 10 does not apply;
(d)
regulations 13 and 14 do not apply;
(e)
paragraphs (1) to (3) of regulation 15 do not apply, and regulation 15(4) applies to any consultee from whom the relevant planning authority requests assistance as it applies to a consultee notified in accordance with regulation 15(3);
(f)
except for the purposes of regulation 19(3) and (4), regulation 16 applies as if—
(i)
“(1)
When a relevant planning authority making an EIA application lodge a statement, referred to as an “environmental statement”, they must—
(a)
provide to each consultee a copy of—
(i)
that statement;
(ii)
the relevant application and any plan submitted with it; and
(iii)
in the case of a subsequent application, the planning permission granted for the development in respect of which the subsequent application has been made and any documents or information relating to the application;
(b)
inform each consultee that representations may be made to the relevant planning authority; and
(c)
send to the Welsh Ministers within 14 days of lodging the statement—
(i)
one copy of the statement;
(ii)
a copy of the relevant application and of any documents submitted with the application; and
(iii)
in the case of a subsequent application, the planning permission granted for the development in respect of which the subsequent application has been made and any documents or information relating to the application.”; and
(ii)
paragraphs (2) and (3) were omitted;
(iii)
in regulation 16(5), the words “Where an applicant submits an environmental statement to the authority in accordance with paragraph (1),”, were omitted; and
(iv)
in regulation 16(6) “served” read “lodged”;
(g)
regulation 19 applies as if paragraph (2) were omitted.
Screening opinions and directions26.
(1)
An authority which is minded to make a planning application or a subsequent application in relation to which the authority would be the relevant planning authority, may adopt a screening opinion or request the Welsh Ministers to make a screening direction, and paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 6 apply to such a request as they apply to a request made pursuant to regulation 5(7).
(2)
A relevant planning authority who propose to carry out development which they consider may be—
(a)
development of a description specified in Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 M27 other than development of a description specified in article 3(12) of that Order; or
(b)
development for which permission would be granted but for regulation 37 (new simplified planning zone schemes or enterprise zone orders),
may adopt a screening opinion or request the Welsh Ministers to make a screening direction.
(3)
Paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 6 apply to such a request as they apply to a request made pursuant to regulation 5(7).
(4)
A request under paragraph (1) or (2) must be accompanied by—
(a)
in the case of a planning application, the documents described in regulation 5(2);
(b)
in the case of a subsequent application, the documents described in regulation 5(3).
(5)
An authority making a request under paragraph (1) or (2) must send to the Welsh Ministers any additional information which is requested to enable the Welsh Ministers to make a direction.
PART 8Applications for planning permission made to the Welsh Ministers
Application of Parts 2 to 727.
(1)
This Part applies where an application for planning permission is made to the Welsh Ministers and so that “application” (“cais”) in this Part means an application for planning permission so made.
(2)
Parts 2 to 7 apply, subject to the exceptions in the following paragraph and the modifications and supplementary provisions in this Part.
(3)
Regulations 5, 6(1), 6(2), 7 to 14(1), 16, 17(9), 18, 20, 24, 25 and 26 do not apply.
Requests for screening directions of the Welsh Ministers28.
(1)
A person who is minded to make an application may request the Welsh Ministers to adopt a screening direction.
(2)
A request for a screening direction in relation to an application must be accompanied by—
(a)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)
a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment;
(c)
a statement that the request is made in relation to a development of national significance for the purposes of section 62D of the 1990 Act; and
(d)
such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(3)
A person making a request pursuant to paragraph (1) must send to the relevant planning authority a copy of that request and the documents which accompany that request.
(4)
Paragraphs (3) to (7) of regulation 6 apply as if the references to making a request under regulation 5(7) were references to making a request under regulation 28(1).
Applications made without an environmental statement29.
(1)
Where an application is made and it appears to the Welsh Ministers that—
(a)
it is an EIA application; and
(b)
it is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,
the Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant that the submission of an environmental statement is required and send a copy of that notification to the relevant planning authority.
(2)
The Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant in accordance with paragraph (1) within 28 days, beginning with the date on which the Welsh Ministers are in receipt of an application, or such longer period as the Welsh Ministers may determine.
(3)
An applicant who receives a notification under paragraph (1) may, within 21 days beginning with the date of the notification, confirm to the Welsh Ministers that an environmental statement will be provided.
(4)
Where the Welsh Ministers are aware that any particular person is or is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the application, who is unlikely to become aware of it by means of electronic publication, a site notice or by local advertisement, the Welsh Ministers must notify the applicant of any such person.
(5)
If the applicant does not confirm in accordance with paragraph (4), the Welsh Ministers are under no duty to deal with the application and, at the end of the 21 day period, they must inform the applicant that no further action is being taken on the application.
(6)
Where—
(a)
a notification has been given under paragraph (1); and
(b)
the applicant does not submit an environmental statement and comply with regulation 17 (publicity where an environmental statement is submitted after the planning application),
the Welsh Ministers must determine the application only by refusing planning permission.
Scoping directions30.
(1)
A person who is minded to make an application for planning permission may ask the Welsh Ministers to provide scoping directions.
(2)
A request under paragraph (1) must include—
(a)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)
a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment;
(c)
a statement that the request is made in relation to a development of national significance for the purposes of section 62D of the 1990 Act; and
(d)
such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(3)
A person making a request pursuant to paragraph (1) must send to the relevant planning authority a copy of that request and the documents which accompany that request.
(4)
If the Welsh Ministers consider that the information provided pursuant to paragraph (1) is insufficient to make a scoping direction, the Welsh Ministers must give notice to the person making the request.
(5)
The notice must set out any points on which additional information is required.
(6)
The Welsh Ministers may also request the relevant planning authority to provide such information as they can on any of those points.
(7)
The Welsh Ministers must—
(a)
consult the person making the request and the consultees before making a scoping direction in response to a request under paragraph (1), and
(b)
make a direction and send a copy to the person who made the request and to the relevant planning authority, within 5 weeks beginning with the date of receipt of that request or such longer period as may be reasonably required.
(8)
Before making a scoping direction the Welsh Ministers must take into account the matters specified in regulation 13(6).
(9)
Nothing prevents the Welsh Ministers, (after they have made a scoping direction) or the relevant planning authority from requiring the person who made the request to provide additional information.
(10)
“Additional information” (“gwybodaeth ychwanegol”) in paragraph (9) means information in connection with any statement that may be submitted by that person as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations.
Procedure to facilitate preparation of environmental statements31.
Regulation 15 applies as if—
(a)
“(3)
The recipient of—
(a)
such notice as is mentioned in paragraph (1); or
(b)
a statement made pursuant to regulation 10(4)(a), 11(5), 12(6) or 29(3) must—
(i)
notify the consultees of the name and address of the person who intends to submit an environmental statement and of the duty imposed on the consultees by paragraph (4) to make information available to that person; and
(ii)
inform the person who intends to submit an environmental statement of the names and addresses of the consultees so notified.”; and
(b)
the references in paragraphs (4) and (5) to the “relevant planning authority” and “authority” were to the Welsh Ministers.
Procedure where an environmental statement is submitted to the Welsh Ministers32.
Regulation 19 applies as if paragraph (2) reads “The applicant must submit one copy of the environmental statement to the Welsh Ministers and one copy to the relevant planning authority.”
Publicity where an environmental statement is submitted after the planning application33.
“(2)
The applicant must publish in a local newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land is situated a notice stating—
(a)
the applicant's name, that an application is being made to the Welsh Ministers for planning permission and the address of the Welsh Ministers;
(b)
the date on which the application was made;
(c)
the address or location and the nature of the proposed development;
(d)
that a copy of the application, any accompanying plan and other documents, and a copy of the environmental statement may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours;
(e)
an address in the locality in which the land is situated at which those documents may be inspected, and the latest date on which they are available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published);
(f)
an address (whether or not the same as that given under sub-paragraph (e)) in the locality in which the land is situated at which copies of the statement may be obtained;
(g)
that copies may be obtained there so long as stocks last;
(h)
if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge;
(i)
that any person wishing to make representations about the application must make them, before the date named in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), to the Welsh Ministers; and
(j)
the address to which representations should be sent.
(3)
An applicant who is notified under regulation 29(4) (applications without environmental statement) of such a person as mentioned in any of those paragraphs must serve a notice on every such person; and the notice must contain the information specified in paragraph (2), except that the date noted as the latest date on which the documents will be available for inspection must not be less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is first served.”
Availability of copies of environmental statements34.
An applicant who submits an environmental statement in connection with an application, must ensure that a reasonable number of copies of the statement are available at the address named in the notices published or served pursuant to article 18(2) of the 2016 Order as the address at which such copies may be obtained.
Availability of directions etc. for inspection35.
Regulation 23 applies as if paragraph (1)(e) reads “notification given under regulation 29(2) (applications made without environmental statement);”.
Duties to inform the public of final decisions36.
(1)
Where an EIA application is determined by the Welsh Ministers or an inspector, the Welsh Ministers must—
(a)
notify the relevant planning authority of the decision; and
(b)
provide the authority with a statement containing—
(i)
the content of the decision and any conditions attached to it;
(ii)
the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based, including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public;
(iii)
a description, where necessary, of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the development; and
(iv)
information regarding the right to challenge the validity of the decision and the procedures for doing so.
(2)
The relevant planning authority must, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a notification under paragraph (1)(a)—
(a)
inform the public of the decision, by local advertisement, or by such other means as are reasonable in the circumstances; and
(b)
make the statement the authority received pursuant to paragraph (1)(b), available for public inspection at the place where the appropriate register (or relevant section of that register) is kept.
PART 9Restrictions of Grants of Permission
New simplified planning zone schemes or enterprise zone orders37.
With effect from the commencement date—
(a)
the adoption or approval of a simplified planning zone scheme M28;
(b)
an order designating an enterprise zone made under section 88 of the 1990 Act; or
(c)
the approval of a modified scheme in relation to such an enterprise zone,
may not:
(i)
grant planning permission for EIA development; or
(ii)
grant planning permission for Schedule 2 development unless that grant is made subject to the prior adoption of a screening opinion or prior making of a screening direction that the particular proposed development is not EIA development.
Local development orders38.
(1)
This regulation applies in relation to Schedule 2 development for which a local planning authority propose to grant planning permission by local development order.
(2)
Where this regulation applies, the local planning authority must not adopt or revise a local development order unless they have adopted a screening opinion or the Welsh Ministers have made a screening direction.
(3)
Paragraph (4) and Schedule 5 apply where—
(a)
the local planning authority adopts a screening opinion; or
(b)
the Welsh Ministers make a screening direction under these Regulations,
to the effect that the development is EIA development.
(4)
The local planning authority must not adopt or revise a local development order which would grant planning permission for EIA development unless—
(a)
an environmental statement has been prepared in relation to that development; and
(b)
the authority has taken the environmental information into consideration, and they state in their decision that they have done so.
Section 97 orders and section 102 orders39.
(1)
This regulation applies where a local planning authority or the Welsh Ministers propose to make or confirm a section 97 order or a section 102 order.
(2)
In this regulation—
“section 97 order” (“gorchymyn adran 97”) means—
(a)
an order of a local planning authority under section 97(1) of the 1990 Act, or
(b)
an order of the Welsh Ministers under section 100(1) of the 1990 Act,
(c)
modifying any permission to develop land; and
“section 102 order” (“gorchymyn adran 102”) means an order of a local planning authority under section 102 of the 1990 Act or an order of the Welsh Ministers to like effect pursuant to section 104(1) of the 1990 Act.
(3)
The local planning authority must not make and the Welsh Ministers must not make or confirm, a section 97 order or a section 102 order in relation to Schedule 2 development unless the local planning authority have adopted a screening opinion or the Welsh Ministers have made a screening direction.
(4)
Paragraphs (5) and (6) and Schedule 6 apply—
(a)
to Schedule 1 development;
(b)
where either—
(i)
the local planning authority adopts a screening opinion, or
(ii)
the Welsh Ministers make a screening direction under these Regulations,
to the effect that the development is EIA development.
(5)
The local planning authority must not make a section 97 order which permits or requires EIA development unless—
(a)
they have prepared an environmental statement in relation to that development; and
(b)
they have taken the environmental information into consideration and they state in their decision that they have done so.
(6)
The Welsh Ministers must not confirm or make a section 97 order or a section 102 order which permits or requires EIA development unless—
(a)
an environmental statement has been prepared in relation to that development; and
(b)
they have taken the environmental information into consideration and they state in their decision that they have done so.
PART 10Unauthorised Development
Interpretation40.
In this Part—
“unauthorised EIA development” (“datblygiad AEA anawdurdodedig”) means EIA development which is the subject of an enforcement notice under section 172 of the 1990 Act (issue of enforcement notice) M29; and
“ground (a) appeal” (“apêl sail (a)”) means an appeal brought under section 174(2)(a) of the 1990 Act.
Prohibition on the grant of planning permission for unauthorised EIA development41.
The Welsh Ministers or an inspector must not grant planning permission or subsequent consent under section 177(1) of the 1990 Act (grant or modification of planning permission on appeals against enforcement notices) M30 in respect of unauthorised EIA development unless the Welsh Ministers or inspector has first taken the environmental information into consideration, and they must state in the decision that they have done so.
Screening opinions42.
(1)
Where it appears to the local planning authority by whom or on whose behalf an enforcement notice is to be issued that the matters constituting the breach of planning control comprise or include Schedule 1 development or Schedule 2 development they must, before the enforcement notice is issued, adopt a screening opinion.
(2)
Where it appears to the local planning authority by whom or on whose behalf an enforcement notice is to be issued that the matters constituting the breach of planning control comprise or include EIA development they must serve with a copy of the enforcement notice a notice (“regulation 42 notice”) which must—
(a)
include the screening opinion required by paragraph (1) and the statement required by regulation 4(7); and
(b)
require a person who gives notice of an appeal under section 174 of the 1990 Act M31 to submit to the Welsh Ministers with the notice two copies of an environmental statement relating to that EIA development.
(3)
The authority by whom a regulation 42 notice has been served must send a copy of it to—
(a)
the Welsh Ministers;
(b)
the consultees; and
(c)
any particular person of whom the authority is aware, who is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the regulation 42 notice.
(4)
Where an authority provide the Welsh Ministers with a copy of a regulation 42 notice they must include with it a list of the other persons to whom a copy of the notice has been or is to be sent.
Screening directions43.
(1)
Any person on whom a regulation 42 notice is served may, within 21 days beginning with the date the notice is served, apply to the Welsh Ministers for a screening direction.
(2)
An application for a screening direction must be accompanied by—
(a)
a copy of the regulation 42 notice;
(b)
a copy of the enforcement notice which accompanied it; and
(c)
such other information or representations as the applicant may wish to provide or make.
(3)
At the same time as applying to the Welsh Ministers, the applicant must send to the authority by whom the regulation 42 notice was served, a copy of the application and of any information or representations provided or made in accordance with paragraph (2)(c).
(4)
If the Welsh Ministers consider that the information provided in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) is insufficient to make a direction, they must notify the applicant and the authority of the matters in respect of which additional information is required; and the information so requested must be provided by the applicant within such reasonable period as may be specified in the notice.
(5)
The Welsh Ministers must send a copy of the direction to the applicant.
(6)
Where the Welsh Ministers direct that the matters which are alleged to constitute the breach of planning control do not comprise or include EIA development, they must send a copy of the direction to every person to whom a copy of the regulation 42 notice was sent.
Provision of information44.
(1)
The relevant planning authority and any person, other than the Welsh Ministers, to whom a copy of the regulation 42 notice has been sent (“the regulation 42 consultee”) must, if requested by the person on whom the regulation 42 notice was served, enter into consultation with that person to determine whether the regulation 42 consultee has in their possession any information which that person or the regulation 42 consultee considers relevant to the preparation of an environmental statement and if they have, the regulation 42 consultee must make any such information available to that person.
(2)
Regulation 15(5) applies to information under paragraph (1) as it applies to any information falling within regulation 15(4).
Appeal to the Welsh Ministers without a screening opinion or screening direction45.
(1)
Where on consideration of an appeal under section 174 of the 1990 Act it appears to the Welsh Ministers that the matters alleged to constitute the breach of planning control comprise or include Schedule 1 development or Schedule 2 development, they must, before any notice is served pursuant to regulation 46, make a screening direction.
(2)
Where an inspector is dealing with an appeal under section 174 of the 1990 Act and a question arises as to whether the matters alleged to constitute the breach of planning control comprise or include Schedule 1 development or Schedule 2 development, the inspector must refer that question to the Welsh Ministers.
(3)
Before receiving a screening direction the inspector may not determine the application which is deemed to have been made by virtue of the appeal under section 174 of the 1990 Act (“the deemed application”) except to refuse that application.
(4)
Where a question is referred under paragraph (2), the Welsh Ministers must make a screening direction within 21 days beginning with the date on which the question was referred or such longer period as may be reasonably required.
(5)
The Welsh Ministers must send a copy of any screening direction made pursuant to paragraph (4) to the inspector.
(6)
If the Welsh Ministers consider that sufficient information to make a screening direction has not been provided, they must give notice to the applicant and the authority by whom the regulation 42 notice was served, of the matters in respect of which additional information is required and the information so requested must be provided by the applicant within such reasonable period as may be specified in the notice.
(7)
If an appellant to whom notice has been given under paragraph (6) fails to comply with the requirements of that notice—
(a)
the application which is deemed to have been made by virtue of the appeal made under section 174 of the 1990 Act; and
(b)
the appeal in so far as it is a ground (a) appeal,
lapse at the end of the period specified in the notice.
Appeal to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement46.
(1)
The procedure in paragraph (2) applies where—
(a)
the Welsh Ministers or an inspector are considering an appeal under section 174 of the 1990 Act;
(b)
the matters which are alleged to constitute the breach of planning control comprise or include unauthorised EIA development; and
(c)
the documents submitted for the purposes of the appeal do not include a statement referred to by the appellant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations.
(2)
The procedure is—
(a)
the Welsh Ministers must, within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the appeal is received, or such longer period as may be reasonably required, notify the appellant of the requirements of sub-paragraph (c) below; but this is subject to sub-paragraph (b);
(b)
notice need not be given under sub-paragraph (a) where the appellant has submitted an environmental statement to the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of an appeal under section 78 of the 1990 Act (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions) which—
(i)
relates to the development to which the appeal under section 174 of the 1990 Act relates; and
(ii)
is to be determined at the same time as the appeal under section 174 of the 1990 Act;
and that statement, any further information, any other information and the representations (if any) made in relation to it must be treated as the environmental information for the purpose of regulation 41;
(c)
the appellant must, within the period specified in the notice or such longer period as the Welsh Ministers may allow, submit to the Welsh Ministers two copies of an environmental statement relating to the unauthorised EIA development in question;
(d)
the Welsh Ministers must send to the relevant planning authority a copy of any notice sent to the appellant under sub-paragraph (a);
(e)
if an appellant to whom notice has been given under sub-paragraph (a) fails to comply with the requirements of sub-paragraph (c), the deemed application and any ground (a) appeal lapse at the end of the period specified or allowed (as the case may be);
(f)
as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of the lapse described in subparagraph (e), the Welsh Ministers must notify the appellant and the local planning authority that the deemed application and any ground (a) appeal have lapsed.
Procedure where an environmental statement is submitted to the Welsh Ministers47.
Where the Welsh Ministers receive (otherwise than as mentioned in regulation 46(2)(b)) an environmental statement in connection with an enforcement appeal, they must—
(a)
send a copy of that statement to the relevant planning authority, advise the authority that the statement will be taken into consideration in determining the deemed application and the ground (a) appeal (if any), and inform them that they may make representations;
(b)
notify the persons to whom a copy of the relevant regulation 42 notice was sent that the statement will be taken into consideration in determining the deemed application and the ground (a) appeal (if any), and inform them that they may make representations and that, if they wish to receive a copy of the statement or any part of it, they must notify the Welsh Ministers of their requirements within 7 days of the receipt of the Welsh Ministers' notice; and
(c)
respond to requirements notified in accordance with paragraph (b) by providing a copy of the statement or of the part requested (as the case may be).
Further information and evidence respecting environmental statements48.
Regulation 22(1) and (10) apply to statements provided in accordance with this Part with the following modifications—
(a)
where the Welsh Ministers or an inspector notify the appellant under regulation 22(1), the appellant must provide the further information within such period as the Welsh Ministers or the inspector may specify in the notice or such longer period as the Welsh Ministers or the inspector may allow;
(b)
if an appellant to whom a notice has been given under paragraph (a) fails to provide the further information within the period specified or allowed, the deemed application and the ground (a) appeal (if any) lapse at the end of that period.
Publicity for environmental statements or further information49.
(1)
Where an authority receive a copy of a statement or further information by virtue of regulation 47(a) or any other information they must publish by local advertisement a notice stating—
(a)
the name of the appellant and that the enforcement notice has been appealed to the Welsh Ministers;
(b)
the address or location of the land to which the notice relates and the nature of the development;
(c)
sufficient information to enable any planning permission for the development to be identified;
(d)
that a copy of the statement, further information or any other information and of any planning permission may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours;
(e)
an address in the locality in which the land is situated at which the statement or further information or any other information may be inspected, and the latest date on which it will be available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published);
(f)
that any person wishing to make representations about any matter dealt with in the statement or further information or any other information should make them, no later than 21 days after the date stated in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), to the Welsh Ministers; and
(g)
the address to which any such representations should be sent.
(2)
The authority must, as soon as practicable after publication of a notice in accordance with paragraph (1), send to the Welsh Ministers a copy of the notice certified by or on behalf of the authority as having been published by local advertisement on a date specified in the certificate.
(3)
Neither the Welsh Ministers receiving a certificate under paragraph (2) nor an inspector may determine the deemed application or the ground (a) appeal in respect of the development to which the certificate relates until the expiry of 21 days from the date stated in the published notice as the last date on which the statement or further information was available for inspection.
Public inspection of documents50.
(1)
The relevant planning authority must make available for public inspection at all reasonable hours at the place where the appropriate register (or relevant part of that register) is kept, a copy of—
(a)
every regulation 42 notice given by the authority;
(b)
every notice received by the authority under regulation 46(2)(d); and
(c)
every statement and all further information received by the authority under regulation 47(a);
and copies of those documents must remain so available for a period of 2 years or until they are entered in Part 2 of the register in accordance with paragraph (2), whichever is the sooner.
(2)
Where particulars of any planning permission granted by the Welsh Ministers or an inspector under section 177 of the 1990 Act are entered in Part 2 of the register M32, the relevant planning authority must take steps to secure that that Part also contains a copy of any of the documents referred to in paragraph (1) as are relevant to the development for which planning permission has been granted.
(3)
The provisions of regulation 24(2) and (3) apply to a deemed application and a grant of planning permission under section 177 of the 1990 Act as they apply to an application for and grant of planning permission under Part 3 of the 1990 Act.
Significant transboundary effects51.
Regulation 53 applies to unauthorised EIA development as if—
(a)
“(a)
on consideration of an appeal under section 174 of the 1990 Act the Welsh Ministers are of the opinion that the matters which are alleged to constitute the breach of planning control comprise or include EIA development and that the development has or is likely to have significant effects on the environment inF3anEEA State; or”;
(b)
in regulation 53(3)(a), “a copy of the application concerned” read “a description of the development concerned”;
(c)
in regulation 53(6), “application” read “appeal”.
PART 11ROMP Applications
General application of the Regulations to ROMP applications52.
(1)
In this regulation and in Schedule 7—
“relevant mineral planning authority” (“awdurdod cynllunio mwynau perthnasol”) means the body to whom it falls, fell, or would, but for a direction under—
(a)
paragraph 7 of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act;
(b)
paragraph 13 of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act; or
(c)
paragraph 8 of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act,
fall to determine the ROMP application in question;
“ROMP” (“ROMP”) means review of old mineral permission;
“ROMP application” (“cais ROMP”) means an application to a relevant mineral planning authority to determine the conditions to which a planning permission is to be subject under—
(a)
paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act (registration of old mining permissions);
(b)
paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act (review of old mineral planning permissions); or
(c)
paragraph 6(1) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act (periodic review of mineral planning permissions) M33;
“ROMP development” (“datblygiad ROMP”) means development which has yet to be carried out and which is authorised by a planning permission in respect of which a ROMP application has been or is to be made;
“ROMP subsequent application” (“cais dilynol ROMP”) means an application for approval of a matter where the approval—
(a)
is required by or under a condition to which a planning permission is subject following determination of a ROMP application; and
(b)
must be obtained before all or part of the minerals development permitted by the planning permission may be begun or continued;
“ROMP subsequent consent” (“caniatâd dilynol ROMP”) means consent granted pursuant to a ROMP subsequent application.
(2)
Subject to paragraph (2) and to the modifications and additions set out in Schedule 7, these Regulations apply to—
(a)
a ROMP application as they apply to an application for planning permission;
(b)
a ROMP subsequent application as they apply to a subsequent application;
(c)
ROMP development as they apply to development in respect of which an application for planning permission is, has been, or is to be made;
(d)
a relevant mineral planning authority as they apply to a relevant planning authority;
(e)
a person making a ROMP application as they apply to an applicant for planning permission;
(f)
a person making a ROMP subsequent application as they apply to a person making a subsequent application;
(g)
the determination of a ROMP application as they apply to the granting of a planning permission; and
(h)
the granting of ROMP subsequent consent as they apply to the granting of subsequent consent.
(3)
These Regulations do not apply to—
(a)
any undetermined ROMP application to which the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Undetermined Reviews of Old Mineral Permissions) (Wales) Regulations 2009 M34 apply;
(b)
to any appeal in relation to such an application.
PART 12Development with Significant Transboundary Effects
Development in Wales likely to have significant effects in F4an EEA State53.
(1)
Where—
(a)
it comes to the attention of the Welsh Ministers that development proposed to be carried out in Wales is the subject of an EIA application and is likely to have significant effects on the environment in F5an EEA State; or
(b)
F6an EEA State likely to be significantly affected by such development so requests,
the Welsh Ministers must—
(i)
send to the EEA State as soon as possible and no later than their date of publication in The London Gazette referred to in paragraph (ii) below, the particulars mentioned in paragraph (2) and, if relevant, the information referred to in paragraph (3);
(ii)
publish the information in paragraph (i) above in a notice placed in The London Gazette indicating the address where additional information is available; and
(iii)
give the EEA State a reasonable time in which to indicate whether it wishes to participate in the procedure for which these Regulations provide.
(2)
The particulars referred to in paragraph (1)(b)(i) are—
(a)
a description of the development, together with any available information on its possible significant effect on the environment in another Member State; and
(b)
information on the nature of the decision which may be taken.
(3)
Where an EEA State indicates, in accordance with paragraph (1)(b)(iii), that it wishes to participate in the procedure for which these Regulations provide, the Welsh Ministers must as soon as possible send to that EEA State—
(a)
a copy of the application concerned;
(b)
a copy of any planning permission relating to the development;
(c)
a copy of any environmental statement in respect of the development; and
(d)
relevant information regarding the procedure under these Regulations,
but only to the extent that such information has not been provided to the EEA State earlier in accordance with paragraph (1)(b)(i).
(4)
The Welsh Ministers must also—
(a)
arrange for the particulars and information referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) and any further information and any other information to be made available, within a reasonable time, to F7authorities in the relevant EEA State which that state has designated as responsible for performing the duties arising from the Directive and the public concerned in the territory of the EEA State likely to be significantly affected; and
(b)
ensure that those authorities and the public concerned are given an opportunity, before planning permission for the development is granted, to forward to the Welsh Ministers, within a reasonable time, their opinion on the information supplied.
(5)
The Welsh Ministers must F8...—
(a)
enter into consultations with the EEA State concerned regarding, inter alia, the potential significant effects of the development on the environment of that EEA State and the measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate such effects; and
(b)
determine in agreement with the other EEA State a reasonable period of time for the duration of the consultation period.
(6)
Where an EEA State has been consulted in accordance with paragraph (5), on the determination of the application concerned the Welsh Ministers must inform the EEA State of the decision and must forward to it a statement of—
(a)
the content of the decision and any conditions attached to it;
(b)
the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public; and
(c)
a description, where necessary, of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the development.
Projects in F9an EEA State likely to have significant transboundary effects54.
(1)
Where the Welsh Ministers receive from F10an EEA StateF11... information which that EEA State has gathered from the developer of a proposed project in that EEA State, which is likely to have significant effects on the environment in Wales, they mustF12...—
(a)
enter into consultations with that EEA State regarding the potential significant effects of the proposed project on the environment in Wales and the measures envisaged to reduce or eliminate such effects; and
(b)
determine in agreement with that EEA State a reasonable period, before development consent for the project is granted, during which members of the public in Wales may submit F13representations to the authority in the relevant EEA State which that state has designated as responsible for performing the duties arising from the Directive.
(2)
The Welsh Ministers must also—
(a)
arrange for the information referred to in paragraph (1) to be made available, within a reasonable time, both to the authorities in Wales which are likely to be concerned by the project by reason of their specific environmental responsibilities, and to the public concerned in Wales;
(b)
ensure that those authorities and the public concerned are given an opportunity, before development consent for the project is granted, to forward to the F14the authority in the relevant EEA State which that state has designated as responsible for performing the duties arising from the Directive, within a reasonable time, their opinion on the information supplied; and
(c)
so far as such information has been received by the Welsh Ministers, notify those authorities and the public of the content of any decision of the F15the authority in the relevant EEA State which that state has designated as responsible for performing the duties arising from the Directive; and in particular—
(i)
any conditions attached to it;
(ii)
the main reasons and considerations on which the decision was based including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public; and
(iii)
a description of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset any major adverse effects that have been identified.
PART 13Miscellaneous
Application to the High Court55.
For the purposes of Part 12 of the 1990 Act (validity of certain decisions), the reference in section 288(1)(b) M35 to action of the Welsh Ministers not being within the powers of the 1990 Act is to be taken to extend to a grant of planning permission or subsequent consent not being permitted by reason of regulations 3 or 41.
Hazardous waste and material change of use56.
A change in the use of land or buildings to a use for a purpose mentioned in paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 involves a material change in the use of that land or those buildings for the purposes of section 55(1) of the 1990 Act (meaning of “development” and “new development”).
Extension of the period for an authority's decision on a planning application57.
(1)
For the purposes of section 78 of the 1990 Act (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions), in determining the time which has elapsed without the relevant planning authority giving notice to the applicant of their decision, where—
(a)
the authority have notified an applicant in accordance with regulation 10(1) that the submission of an environmental statement is required; and
(b)
the Welsh Ministers have given a screening direction in relation to the development in question,
(c)
no account is to be taken of any period before the issue of the direction.
F16(2)
Where it falls to an authority to determine an EIA application, articles 22 (time periods for decisions) and 23 (applications made under planning condition) of the 2012 Order have effect as if—
(a)
each of the references in articles 22(2)(a) and 23 to a period of 8 weeks is a reference to a period of 16 weeks; and
(b)
the reference in article 22(2)(aa) to the period of 12 weeks is a reference to the period of 20 weeks.
Extension of the power to provide in a development order for the giving of directions as respects the manner in which planning applications are dealt with58.
Provisions included in a development order by virtue of section 60 of the 1990 Act (permission granted by development order) M36 which enable the Welsh Ministers to give directions, must enable them to direct that development which is both of a description mentioned in Column 1 of the table in Schedule 2, and of a class described in the direction is EIA development for the purposes of these Regulations.
Application to the Crown59.
(1)
These Regulations apply to the Crown with the following modifications.
(2)
In relation to an application made to the Welsh Ministers other than an application under section 62D of the 1990 Act (developments of national significance: applications for planning permission), regulation 11 (application referred to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement) is to be read as if—
(a)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
before “referred” in the first place it occurs, it read “made to the Welsh Ministers under section 293A of the 1990 Act (urgent Crown development: application) M37 or”; and
(ii)
before “referral” it read “making or the”; and
(b)
in paragraph (2), before “referred” in the first place it occurs, it read “made under section 293A of the 1990 Act or”.
Revocation of statutory instruments and transitional provisions60.
(1)
The statutory instruments in Schedule 8 are revoked, to the extent shown in that Schedule.
(2)
Nothing in paragraph (1) affects the continued application of the instruments revoked by that paragraph, and these Regulations do not apply, in relation to—
(a)
any application lodged or received by an authority before the commencement date,
(b)
any undetermined ROMP application to which those instruments apply in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Undetermined Reviews of Old Mineral Permissions) (Wales) Regulations 2009,
(c)
any appeal in relation to an application under sub-paragraph (a) or (b), or
(d)
any matter in relation to which a local planning authority have, before that date, issued an enforcement notice under section 172 of the 1990 Act.
(3)
In this regulation, “ROMP” (“ROMP”) and “ROMP application” (“cais ROMP”) have the same meaning as in regulation 52(1).
Consequential amendments61.
The instruments in Schedule 9 are amended to the extent shown in that Schedule.
SCHEDULE 1Descriptions of development for the purposes of the definition of “Schedule 1 development”
Interpretation
In this Schedule—
“airport” (“maes awyr”) means an airport which complies with the definition in the 1944 Chicago Convention setting up the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Annex 14) M38;
“express road” (“gwibffordd”) means a road which complies with the definition in the European Agreement on Main International Traffic Arteries of 15 November 1975 M39;
“nuclear power station” (“gorsaf bŵer niwclear”) and “other nuclear reactor” (“adweithydd niwclear arall”) do not include an installation from the site of which all nuclear fuel and other radioactive contaminated materials have been permanently removed; and development for the purpose of dismantling or decommissioning a nuclear power station or other nuclear reactor is not to be treated as development of the description mentioned in paragraph 2(b) of this Schedule.
Descriptions of development
The carrying out of development to provide any of the following—
1.
Crude-oil refineries (excluding undertakings manufacturing only lubricants from crude oil) and installations for the gasification and liquefaction of 500 tonnes or more of coal or bituminous shale per day.
2.
(a)
Thermal power stations and other combustion installations with a heat output of 300 megawatts or more; and
(b)
Nuclear power stations and other nuclear reactors (except research installations for the production and conversion of fissionable and fertile materials, whose maximum power does not exceed 1 kilowatt continuous thermal load).
3.
(a)
Installations for the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel;
(b)
Installations designed—
(i)
for the production or enrichment of nuclear fuel,
(ii)
for the processing of irradiated nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste,
(iii)
for the final disposal of irradiated nuclear fuel,
(iv)
solely for the final disposal of radioactive waste,
(v)
solely for the storage (planned for more than 10 years) of irradiated nuclear fuels or radioactive waste in a different site than the production site.
4.
(a)
Integrated works for the initial smelting of cast-iron and steel;
(b)
Installations for the production of non-ferrous crude metals from ore, concentrates or secondary raw materials by metallurgical, chemical or electrolytic processes.
5.
Installations for the extraction of asbestos and for the processing and transformation of asbestos and products containing asbestos—
(a)
for asbestos-cement products, with an annual production of more than 20,000 tonnes of finished products;
(b)
for friction material, with an annual production of more than 50 tonnes of finished products; and
(c)
for other uses of asbestos, utilisation of more than 200 tonnes per year.
6.
Integrated chemical installations, that is to say, installations for the manufacture on an industrial scale of substances using chemical conversion processes, in which several units are juxtaposed and are functionally linked to one another and which are—
(a)
for the production of basic organic chemicals;
(b)
for the production of basic inorganic chemicals;
(c)
for the production of phosphorous-, nitrogen- or potassium-based fertilisers (simple or compound fertilisers);
(d)
for the production of basic plant health products and of biocides;
(e)
for the production of basic pharmaceutical products using a chemical or biological process;
(f)
for the production of explosives.
7.
(a)
Construction of lines for long-distance railway traffic and of airports with a basic runway length of 2,100 metres or more;
(b)
Construction of motorways and express roads;
(c)
Construction of a new road of four or more lanes, or realignment and/or widening of an existing road of two lanes or less so as to provide four or more lanes, where such new road, or realigned and/or widened section of road would be 10 kilometres or more in a continuous length.
8.
(a)
Inland waterways and ports for inland-waterway traffic which permit the passage of vessels of over 1,350 tonnes;
(b)
Trading ports, piers for loading and unloading connected to land and outside ports (excluding ferry piers) which can take vessels of over 1,350 tonnes.
9.
Waste disposal installations for the incineration, chemical treatment (as defined in F17Annex I to Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, as last amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2017/997 under heading D9), or landfill of hazardous waste as defined in regulation 6 of the Hazardous Waste (Wales) Regulations 2005 M40.
10.
Waste disposal installations for the incineration or chemical treatment (as defined in F18Annex I to Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, as last amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2017/997 under heading D9) of non-hazardous waste with a capacity exceeding 100 tonnes per day.
11.
Groundwater abstraction or artificial groundwater recharge schemes where the annual volume of water abstracted or recharged is equivalent to or exceeds 10 million cubic metres.
12.
(a)
Works for the transfer of water resources, other than piped drinking water, between river basins where the transfer aims at preventing possible shortages of water and where the amount of water transferred exceeds 100 million cubic metres per year;
(b)
In all other cases, works for the transfer of water resources, other than piped drinking water, between river basins where the multi-annual average flow of the basin of abstraction exceeds 2,000 million cubic metres per year and where the amount of water transferred exceeds 5% of this flow.
13.
Waste water treatment plants with a capacity exceeding 150,000 population equivalent as defined in Article 2 point (6) of Council Directive 91/271/EECM41.
14.
Extraction of petroleum and natural gas for commercial purposes where the amount extracted exceeds 500 tonnes per day in the case of petroleum and 500,000 cubic metres per day in the case of gas.
15.
Dams and other installations designed for the holding back or permanent storage of water, where a new or additional amount of water held back or stored exceeds 10 million cubic metres.
16.
Pipelines with a diameter of more than 800 millimetres and a length of more than 40 kilometres:
— for the transport of gas, oil, chemicals, or— for the transport of carbon dioxide streams for the purposes of geological storage, including associated booster stations.
17.
Installations for the intensive rearing of poultry or pigs with more than—
(a)
85,000 places for broilers or 60,000 places for hens;
(b)
3,000 places for production pigs (over 30 kg); or
(c)
900 places for sows.
18.
Industrial plants for—
(a)
the production of pulp from timber or similar fibrous materials;
(b)
the production of paper and board with a production capacity exceeding 200 tonnes per day.
19.
Quarries and open-cast mining where the surface of the site exceeds 25 hectares, or peat extraction where the surface of the site exceeds 150 hectares.
20.
Installations for storage of petroleum, petrochemical or chemical products with a capacity of 200,000 tonnes or more.
21.
Storage sites pursuant to F19
Chapter 3 of Part 1 of the Energy Act 2008 and any law which implemented
Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the geological storage of carbon dioxide M42.
22.
Installations for the capture of carbon dioxide streams for the purposes of geological storage pursuant to F20“
Chapter 3 of Part 1 of the Energy Act 2008 and any law which implemented
” Directive 2009/31/EC from installations covered by this Schedule, or where the total yearly capture of carbon dioxide is 1.5 megatonnes or more.
23.
Any change to or extension of development listed in this Schedule where such a change or extension in itself meets the thresholds, if any, or description of development set out in this Schedule.
SCHEDULE 2Descriptions of development and applicable thresholds and criteria for the purposes of the definition of “Schedule 2 development”
1.
In the table below—
“area of the works” (“arwynebedd gwaith”) includes any area occupied by apparatus, equipment, machinery, materials, plant, spoil heaps or other facilities or stores required for construction or installation;
“controlled waters” (“dyfroedd a reolir”) has the same meaning as in the Water Resources Act 1991 M43;
“floorspace” (“arwynebedd llawr”) means the floorspace in a building or buildings.
2.
The table below sets out the descriptions of development and applicable thresholds and criteria for the purpose of classifying development as Schedule 2 development.
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SCHEDULE 3Selection criteria for screening Schedule 2 development
Characteristics of development
1.
The characteristics of development must be considered having regard, in particular, to—
(a)
the size of the development;
(b)
the cumulation with other development;
(c)
the use of natural resources;
(d)
the production of waste;
(e)
pollution and nuisances;
(f)
the risk of accidents, having regard in particular to substances or technologies used.
Location of development
2.
The environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by development must be considered, having regard, in particular, to—
(a)
the existing land use;
(b)
the relative abundance, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources in the area;
(c)
the absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas—
(i)
wetlands;
(ii)
coastal zones;
(iii)
mountain and forest areas;
(iv)
nature reserves and parks;
(v)
areas classified or protected under Member States' legislation F23or under the legislation of any part of the UK,
areas designated F24... F25under EU-derived domestic legislation which transposed Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds M44 and Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora M45;
(vi)
areas in which the environmental quality standards laid down in F26 retained EU law
have already been exceeded;
(vii)
densely populated areas;
(viii)
landscapes of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.
Characteristics of the potential impact
3.
The potential significant effects of development must be considered in relation to criteria set out under paragraphs 1 and 2 above, and having regard in particular to—
(a)
the extent of the impact (geographical area and size of the affected population);
(b)
the transfrontier nature of the impact;
(c)
the magnitude and complexity of the impact;
(d)
the probability of the impact;
(e)
the duration, frequency and reversibility of the impact.
SCHEDULE 4Information for inclusion in environmental statements
PART 1
1.
Description of the development, including in particular—
(a)
a description of the physical characteristics of the whole development and the land-use requirements during the construction and operational phases;
(b)
a description of the main characteristics of the production processes, for instance, nature and quantity of the materials used;
(c)
an estimate, by type and quantity, of expected residues and emissions (water, air and soil pollution, noise, vibration, light, heat, radiation, etc.) resulting from the operation of the proposed development.
2.
An outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant or appellant and an indication of the main reasons for the choice made, taking into account the environmental effects.
3.
A description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected by the development, including, in particular, population, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, including the architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the inter-relationship between the above factors.
4.
A description of the likely significant effects of the development on the environment, which should cover the direct effects and any indirect, secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects of the development, resulting from—
(a)
the existence of the development;
(b)
the use of natural resources;
(c)
the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste,
and the description by the applicant or appellant of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment.
5.
A description of the measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and where possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment.
6.
A non-technical summary of the information provided under paragraphs 1 to 5 of this Part.
7.
An indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered by the applicant or appellant in compiling the required information.
PART 2
8.
A description of the development comprising information on the site, design and size of the development.
9.
A description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy significant adverse effects.
10.
The data required to identify and assess the main effects which the development is likely to have on the environment.
11.
An outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant or appellant and an indication of the main reasons for the choice made, taking into account the environmental effects.
12.
A non-technical summary of the information provided under paragraphs 8 to 11 of this Part.
SCHEDULE 5Local Development Orders
1.
In a case to which this Schedule has effect, these Regulations apply, subject to the following modifications.
2.
Regulations 3, 5 to 12, 18 and 19 do not apply.
3.
In regulation 4—
(a)
paragraph (2)(a) does not apply;
(b)
in paragraph (2)(b), (5) and (10), for “relevant” read “local”;
(c)
read as if paragraph (7)(b) were omitted.
4.
“(1)
Where a proposed local development order is EIA development, the local planning authority must state its opinion as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement (“a scoping opinion”).
(2)
A scoping opinion under paragraph (1) must include—
(a)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)
a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and
(c)
such other information or representations as the local planning authority may wish to provide or make.
(3)
An authority must not adopt a scoping opinion until they have consulted the consultees.
(4)
Before adopting a screening opinion the authority must take into account—
(a)
the specific characteristics of the particular development;
(b)
the specific characteristics of development of the type concerned; and
(c)
the environmental features likely to be affected by the development.”
5.
“15.
(1)
A local planning authority which intends to prepare an environmental statement may enquire of a consultee whether the consultee has any information which the consultee or the local planning authority considers relevant to the preparation of the environmental statement.
(2)
If the consultee has such information they must treat the enquiry by the local planning authority as a request for information by the local planning authority under regulation 5(1) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004M46.”
6.
“16.
(1)
Where a statement, referred to as an “environmental statement”, has been prepared in relation to EIA development for which a local planning authority proposes to grant planning permission by a local development order, the local planning authority must—
(a)
send a copy of the statement to the consultees and inform them that they may make representations; and
(b)
notify any particular person of whom the authority are aware, who is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the application, who is unlikely to become aware of it by means of electronic publication, a site notice or by local advertisement, of an address in the locality in which the land is situated where a copy of the statement may be obtained and the address to which representations may be sent.
(2)
The local planning authority must not make the local development order until the expiry of 21 days from the last date on which a copy of the statement was served in accordance with this regulation.”
7.
Regulation 17 is to be read as if—
(a)
paragraph (1) were omitted;
(b)
“(2)
The local planning authority must publish in a local newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land is situated a notice stating—
(a)
the name and address of the local planning authority;
(b)
the address or location and the nature of the development referred to in the proposed local development order;
(c)
that a copy of the draft local development order and of any plan or other documents accompanying it together with a copy of the environmental statement may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours;
(d)
an address in the locality in which the land is situated at which those documents may be inspected, and the latest date on which they will be available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published);
(e)
an address (whether or not the same as that given under sub-paragraph (d)) in the locality in which the land is situated at which copies of the statement may be obtained;
(f)
that copies may be obtained there so long as stocks last;
(g)
if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge; and
(h)
that any person wishing to make representations about the local development order should make them before the date specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (d), to the local planning authority.”;
(c)
paragraph (3) were omitted;
(d)
in paragraph (4), “applicant” read “local planning authority”; and
(e)
paragraphs (6) to (9) were omitted.
8.
“20.
The local planning authority must ensure that a reasonable number of copies of the statement referred to as the environmental statement prepared in relation to EIA development for which the authority propose to grant planning permission by a local development order are available at—
(a)
their principal office during normal office hours; and
(b)
at such other places within their area as they consider appropriate.”
9.
Regulation 22 is to be read as if—
(a)
“(1)
Where an environmental statement has been prepared and the local planning authority is of the opinion that the statement should contain additional information in order to be an environmental statement, the local planning authority must ensure that additional information is provided and such information provided is referred to in these Regulations as “further information” (“gwybodaeth bellach”)”;
(b)
“(3)
The local planning authority must publish in a local newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land is situated a notice stating—
(a)
the name and address of the local planning authority;
(b)
the address or location and the nature of the development referred to in the proposed local development order;
(c)
that further information is available in relation to an environmental statement which has already been provided;
(d)
that a copy of the further information may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours;
(e)
an address in the locality in which the land is situated at which the further information may be inspected, and the latest date on which it will be available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published);
(f)
an address (whether or not the same as that given under sub-paragraph (e)) in the locality in which the land is situated at which copies of the further information may be obtained;
(g)
that copies may be obtained there so long as stocks last;
(h)
if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge;
(i)
that any person wishing to make representations about the further information should make them before the date specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), to the local planning authority;
(j)
the address to which representations should be sent.”;
(c)
“(4)
The local planning authority must send a copy of the further information and any other information to each person to whom, in accordance with the Regulations, the statement to which it relates was sent and to the Welsh Ministers.”;
(d)
paragraphs (5) and (6) were omitted;
(e)
“(7)
Where information is provided under paragraph (1) the local planning authority must not make the local development order before the expiry of 21 days after the date on which the further information was sent to all persons to whom the statement to which it relates was sent or the expiry of 21 days after the date that notice of it was published in a local newspaper, whichever is the later.”;
(f)
in paragraph (8)—
(i)
instead of “The applicant or appellant” it read “The local planning authority”; and
(ii)
after “number of copies of the” it read “further information or other”.
10.
“(1)
Where particulars of a draft local development order are placed on Part 3 of the register, the local planning authority must take steps to secure that there is also placed on that Part a copy of any relevant—
(a)
screening opinion;
(b)
screening direction;
(c)
scoping opinion;
(d)
direction under regulation 4(4);
(e)
the statement referred to as the environmental statement including any further information;
(f)
statement of reasons accompanying any of the above.
(2)
Where the relevant planning authority adopt a screening opinion or scoping opinion, or receive a copy of a screening direction before a local development order is made, the local planning authority must take steps to secure that a copy of the opinion or direction and any accompanying statement of reasons is made available for public inspection at all reasonable hours at the place where the appropriate register (or relevant section of that register) is kept.”
11.
Regulation 24 is to be read as if—
(a)
in paragraph (1) for “Where an EIA application is determined by a local planning authority” it read “Where a local planning authority adopt a local development order granting permission for development which constitutes EIA development”; and
(b)
paragraphs (2) and (3) were omitted.
12.
Regulation 53 is to be read as if—
(a)
“(a)
it comes to the attention of the Welsh Ministers that EIA development proposed to be carried out in Wales for which a local planning authority propose to grant planning permission by a local development order is likely to have significant effects on the environment inF27anEEA State; or”; and
(b)
in paragraphs (3) and (6), instead of “application” it read “proposed local development order”.
SCHEDULE 6Section 97 and 102 Orders under the 1990 Act
1.
In this Schedule “initiating body” (“corff cychwyn”) means the local planning authority or the Welsh Ministers, where they propose to make the section 97 order or the section 102 order.
2.
In a case to which this Schedule has effect, these Regulations apply subject to the following modifications.
3.
Regulations 3, 5 to 12 and 19 do not apply.
4.
In regulation 4—
(a)
paragraph (2)(a) does not apply;
(b)
in paragraph (2)(b), for “relevant” read “local”;
(c)
in paragraph (7) read as if sub-paragraph (b) were omitted.
5.
“(1)
Where a proposed section 97 order or section 102 order permit or require EIA development, the initiating body must state its opinion as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement, unless the initiating body is a local planning authority and makes a request under regulation 14(1).
(2)
A scoping opinion or scoping direction under paragraph (1) must include—
(a)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)
a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and
(c)
such other information or representations as the relevant initiating body may wish to provide or make.
(3)
An initiating body must not adopt a scoping opinion or scoping direction until they have consulted the consultees.
(4)
Before adopting a scoping opinion or scoping direction the initiating body must take into account—
(a)
the specific characteristics of the particular development;
(b)
the specific characteristics of development of the type concerned; and
(c)
the environmental features likely to be affected by the development.
(5)
If the Welsh Ministers make a scoping direction of their own volition or at the request of a third party, they must send a copy to the local authority which has initiated the order.”
6.
Regulation 14 is to be read as if—
(a)
“A local planning authority who intend to prepare an environmental statement may request the Welsh Ministers to make a direction as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement and such a request must include—
(a)
copies of the relevant screening opinion and statement of reasons; and
(b)
the matters referred to in regulation 13(2).”;
(b)
paragraphs (2) and (5) were omitted;
(c)
paragraph (6) read “The Welsh Ministers must consult the local planning authority and the consultees before making a scoping direction and must make the direction within 5 weeks beginning with the date of receipt of that request or such longer period as may be reasonably required.”; and
(d)
the reference in paragraph (7) to “regulation 13(6)” is to “regulation 13(4)”.
7.
“15.
(1)
An initiating body which intends to prepare an environmental statement may consult with a consultee in order to determine whether the consultee has any information which the consultee or the initiating body considers relevant to the preparation of the environmental statement.
(2)
If the consultee has such information, the consultee must treat the consultation by the initiating body as a request for information by the local planning authority under regulation 5(1) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004M47.”
8.
“16.
(1)
Where a statement, referred to as an environmental statement, has been prepared by an initiating body in relation to development which is related to a section 97 order or section 102 order, that body must—
(a)
send a copy of the draft section 97 order or draft section 102 order and the statement to the consultees and inform them that they may make representations; and
(b)
notify any particular person of whom the body is aware and who is likely to be affected by, or has an interest in, the draft order and unlikely to become aware of it by means of electronic publication, a site notice or by local advertisement, of—
(i)
an address in the locality where a copy of the draft order and statement may be obtained; and
(ii)
the address to which representations may be sent.
(2)
The initiating body must not make the order until the expiry of 21 days from the last date on which a copy of the statement was served in accordance with this regulation.
(3)
When the local planning authority prepare an environmental statement, they must send to the Welsh Ministers, within 14 days of sending the statement to the consultees, one copy of each of any relevant screening opinion, statement of reasons and draft order.”
9.
Regulation 17 is to be read as if—
(a)
paragraph (1) were omitted;
(b)
“(2)
The initiating body must publish in a local newspaper circulating in the locality a notice stating—
(a)
the name and address of the initiating body;
(b)
the address or location and the nature of the development referred to in the proposed section 97 order or section 102 order;
(c)
that a copy of the draft order and of any plan or other documents accompanying it together with a copy of the environmental statement may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours;
(d)
an address in the locality at which those documents may be inspected, and the latest date on which they will be available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published);
(e)
an address (whether or not the same as that given under sub-paragraph (d)) in the locality at which copies of the statement may be obtained;
(f)
that copies may be obtained there so long as stocks last;
(g)
if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge; and
(h)
that any person wishing to make representations about the order should make them before the date specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (d), to the initiating body.”;
(c)
paragraph (3) were omitted;
(d)
in paragraph (4), “applicant” read “initiating body”; and
(e)
paragraphs (6) to (9) were omitted.
10.
“18.
Where a local planning authority submits a section 97 order or a section 102 order to the Welsh Ministers for confirmation, the authority must also submit one copy of any environmental statement and any further information.”
11.
“20.
(1)
Where the initiating body is the local planning authority, they must ensure that a reasonable number of copies of the statement referred to as the environmental statement prepared in relation to development in relation to which the authority propose to make a section 97 order or section 102 order are available at—
(a)
their principal office during normal office hours; and
(b)
at such other places within their area as they consider appropriate.
(2)
Where the initiating body is the Welsh Ministers, they must send to the local planning authority who would be responsible for determining an application for planning permission in respect of the development covered by the proposed section 97 order or section 102 order, a copy of the environmental statement prepared in relation to the proposed order.
(3)
When the local planning authority receive a copy of an environmental statement pursuant to paragraph (2), they must ensure that a reasonable number of copies of the statement are available at—
(a)
their principal office during normal office hours; and
(b)
at such other places within their area as they consider appropriate.”
12.
Regulation 22 must be read as if—
(a)
“(1)
Where—
(a)
an environmental statement has been prepared; and a section 97 order or section 102 order is submitted to the Welsh Ministers for confirmation; and
(b)
the Welsh Ministers consider that the statement should contain additional information in order to be an environmental statement,
the Welsh Ministers must notify the relevant planning authority; and that authority must ensure that the additional information is provided; and such additional information is referred to in these Regulations as “further information” (“gwybodaeth bellach”)”;
(b)
“(3)
The relevant planning authority must publish in a local newspaper circulating in the locality a notice stating—
(a)
the name and address of the relevant planning authority;
(b)
the address or location and the nature of the development referred to in the proposed section 97 order or section 102 order;
(c)
that further information is available in relation to an environmental statement which has already been provided;
(d)
that a copy of the further information may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours;
(e)
an address in the locality at which the further information may be inspected, and the latest date on which it is available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published);
(f)
an address (whether or not the same as that given under sub-paragraph (e)) in the locality at which copies of the further information may be obtained;
(g)
that copies may be obtained there so long as stocks last;
(h)
if a charge is to be made for a copy, the amount of the charge;
(i)
that any person wishing to make representations about the further information should make them to the relevant planning authority before the date specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (e);
(j)
the address to which representations should be sent.”;
(c)
“(4)
The local planning authority must send a copy of the further information to each person to whom, in accordance with the Regulations, the statement to which it relates was sent and to the Welsh Ministers.”;
(d)
paragraphs (5) and (6) were omitted;
(e)
“(7)
Where information is provided under paragraph (1) or any other information is provided the Welsh Ministers must not confirm the section 97 order or section 102 order before the expiry of 21 days after the date on which the further information was sent to all persons to whom the statement which it relates was sent or the expiry of 21 days after the date that notice of it was published in a local newspaper, whichever is the later.”;
(f)
in paragraph (8)—
(i)
instead of “The applicant or appellant who provides” it read “The local planning authority providing”; and
(ii)
after “number of copies of the” and before “information”, it read “further”.
13.
“(1)
Each local planning authority must keep a record containing a copy of every section 97 order and section 102 order relating to their area, together with a statement of the reasons for making the order; and the authority must take steps to secure that there is also placed on that record a copy of any relevant—
(a)
screening opinion;
(b)
screening direction;
(c)
scoping opinion;
(d)
direction under regulation 4(4);
(e)
statement referred to as the environmental statement, including any further information;
(f)
statement of reasons accompanying any of the above.
(2)
Where the local planning authority adopt a screening opinion or scoping opinion, or receive a copy of a screening direction or scoping direction before a section 97 order or a section 102 order is made, the authority must take steps to secure that a copy of the opinion or direction and any accompanying statement of reasons is made available for public inspection at all reasonable hours at the place where the record is kept.
(3)
Copies of the documents referred to in paragraph (2) must remain so available for a period of two years from the date on which they are placed on the record.”
14.
“24.
(1)
In this regulation, “decision” (“penderfyniadmeans, in relation to an order which takes effect under section 97(7) of the 1990 Act, the decision to make the order and otherwise, the decision to confirm the section 97 order or the section 102 order.
(2)
Where a section 97 order or a section 102 order permitting or requiring EIA development takes effect, the Welsh Ministers must—
(a)
notify the local planning authority for the area to which the order relates when the order is made or confirmed; and
(b)
other than in relation to section 97 orders which take effect without being confirmed by the Welsh Ministers pursuant to section 99(7) of the 1990 Act, provide the authority with a statement containing the information in paragraph (3)(c).
(3)
Where a section 97 order or a section 102 order permitting or requiring EIA development takes effect, the local planning authority for the area to which the order relates must—
(a)
inform the public of the decision, by local advertisement, or by such other means as are reasonable in the circumstances; and
(b)
make available for public inspection at the place where the record of section 97 orders and section 102 orders is kept, a statement containing—
(i)
the content of the decision and any conditions attached to it;
(ii)
the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public;
(iii)
a description, where necessary, of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the development permitted or required by the order; and
(iv)
information regarding the right to challenge the validity of the decision and the procedures for doing so.”
15.
Regulation 53 is to be read as if—
(a)
“decision” has the same meaning as in paragraph 14;
(b)
“(a)
it comes to the attention of the Welsh Ministers that EIA development proposed to be carried out in Wales for which an initiating body proposes to require or permit by a section 97 order or a section 102 order is likely to have significant effects on the environment inF28anEEA State; or”; and
(c)
in paragraphs (3) and (6), instead of “application” it read “proposed section 97 order or section 102 order”.
SCHEDULE 7ROMP M48 Applications
Modification of provisions on prohibition of granting planning permission or subsequent consent
1.
Regulation 3 (prohibition on granting planning permission or subsequent consent without consideration of environmental information) is to be read as if—
(a)
in paragraph (1)(b), “3 (applications for planning permission)” read “11 (other consents)”;
(b)
in paragraph (2), in the case of a ROMP application, “determined in accordance with article 22(3) (time periods for decisions) of the 2012 Order”, read “the date on which a ROMP application has been made which complies with the provisions of paragraphs 2(3) to (5) and 4(1) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, 9(2) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act M49, or 6(2) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act”.
Modification of provisions on application to local planning authority without an environmental statement
2.
In the case of a ROMP application, regulation 10(4) (application made to a local planning authority without an environmental statement) is to be read as if—
(a)
“21 days” read “6 weeks”; and
(b)
after “the notification”, it read “, or within such other period as may be agreed with the authority in writing”.
Disapplication of Regulations and modifications of provisions on application referred to or appealed to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement
3.
(1)
In the case of a ROMP application, regulations 10(6) and (8), 11(6) and (7), 12(7), 25 and 57 do not apply.
(2)
In the case of a ROMP application, regulation 11(5) (application referred to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement) and regulation 12(6) (appeal to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement) are to be read as if—
(a)
“21 days” read “6 weeks”; and
(b)
after “the notification” they read “, or within such other period as may be agreed with the Welsh Ministers in writing”.
Substitution of references to section 78 of the 1990 Act right of appeal and modification of provisions on appeal to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement
4.
(1)
“paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act or paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act (right of appeal)”.
(2)
In the case of a ROMP application, read regulation 12(2) (appeal to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement) as if “, except by refusing planning permission or subsequent consent,” were omitted.
Modification of provisions on preparation, publicity and procedures on submission of environmental statements
5.
(1)
In the case of a ROMP application, in regulations 13(10) and 14(9), for the words “an application for planning permission or a subsequent application for” read “a ROMP application which relates to another planning permission which authorises”.
(2)
“(4)
Where an applicant submits an environmental statement to the authority in accordance with paragraph (1), the provisions of article 12 of and Schedule 3 to the 2012 Order (publicity for applications for planning permission) apply to a ROMP application under paragraph—
(a)
2(2) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, and
(b)
6(1) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 ActM50,
as they apply to a planning application falling within paragraph (2) of article 12 of the 2012 Order except that for the references in the notice in Schedule 3 to the 2012 Order to “planning permission” there is substituted “determination of the conditions to which a planning permission is to be subject” and that the notice must refer to the relevant provisions of the 1991 Act or 1995 Act pursuant to which the application is made.”
(3)
In the case of a ROMP application, in regulation 17 (publicity where an environmental statement is submitted after the planning application)—
(a)
“that an application is being made for determination of the conditions to which a planning permission is to be subject, the relevant provisions of the 1991 Act or 1995 Act pursuant to which the application is made”;
(b)
“(7)
Where an applicant indicates that is the applicant proposes to provide such a statement and in such circumstances as are mentioned in paragraph (1), the relevant planning authority, the Welsh Ministers or the inspector, as the case may be, must suspend consideration of the application or appeal until the date specified by the authority or the Welsh Ministers for submission of the environmental statement and compliance with paragraph (6); and must not determine the application or appeal during the period of 21 days beginning with the date of receipt of the statement and the other documents mentioned in paragraph (6).”
(4)
In the case of a ROMP application, in regulation 18 (provision of copies of environmental statements and further information for the Welsh Ministers on referral or appeal), in paragraph (a) for “section 77 of the 1990 Act” read “paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act or paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act”.
(5)
In the case of a ROMP application, in regulation 20 (availability of copies of environmental statements) after “the 2012 Order” read “(as applied by regulation 16(5) or by paragraph 9(5) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act),”.
(6)
In the case of a ROMP application, in regulation 22 (further information and evidence in respect of environmental statements)—
(a)
“person who has applied for or who has appealed in relation to the determination of the conditions to which the planning permission is to be subject, the relevant provisions of the 1991 Act or 1995 Act pursuant to which the application is made”;
(b)
in paragraph (7)(a) after the words “application or appeal” read “until the date they specify for submission of the further information”.
Modification of provisions on application to the High Court and giving of directions
6.
(1)
“Application to the High Court55.
For the purposes of Part 12 of the 1990 Act (validity of certain decisions), the reference in section 288 of the 1990 Act, as applied by paragraph 9(3) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 16(4) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act or paragraph 9(4) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act, to action of the Welsh Ministers not being within the powers of the 1990 Act must be taken to extend to the determination of a ROMP application by the Welsh Ministers in contravention of regulation 3.”
(2)
The direction making power in article 18(2) of the 2012 Order applies to ROMP development as it applies to development in respect of which a planning application is made.
Suspension of minerals development
7.
(1)
Where the authority, the Welsh Ministers or an inspector are dealing with a ROMP application or an appeal arising from a ROMP application and notify the applicant or appellant, as the case may be, that—
(a)
the submission of an environmental statement is required under regulation 10(1), 11(2) or 12(4) then such notification must specify the period within which the environmental statement and compliance with regulation 17(6) is required; or
(b)
a statement should contain additional information under regulation 22(1),
then such notification must specify the period within which that information is to be provided.
(2)
Subject to paragraph (3), the planning permission to which the ROMP application relates may only authorise any minerals development (unless the Welsh Ministers have made a screening direction to the effect that ROMP development is not EIA development) if the applicant or the appellant has—
(a)
written to the authority or Welsh Ministers within the 6 week or other period agreed pursuant to regulation 10(3) and 10(4), 11(3) and 11(5) or 12(6);
(b)
submitted an environmental statement and complied with regulation 17(6) within the period specified by the authority or the Welsh Ministers in accordance with paragraph (1) or within such extended period as is agreed in writing;
(c)
provided additional information within the period specified by the authority, the Welsh Ministers or an inspector in accordance with paragraph (1) or within such extended period as is agreed in writing; or
(d)
where a notification under regulation 5(4), 6(3), 13(3) or 14(3) has been received, provided the additional information requested within 21 days beginning with the date of the notification, or within such extended period as may be agreed in writing.
(3)
Where paragraph (2) applies, the planning permission may not authorise any minerals development from the end of—
(a)
the relevant period specified in or agreed pursuant to regulations 10(3) and 10(4), 11(3) and 11(5) or 12(6); and
(b)
the period specified or agreed in writing as referred to in sub-paragraphs (2)(b), (c), and (d),
until the applicant has complied with all of the provisions referred to in paragraph (2) which are relevant to the application or appeal in question.
(4)
Particulars of the suspension of minerals development and the date when that suspension ends must be entered in the appropriate part of the register as soon as reasonably practicable.
(5)
Paragraph (2) does not affect any minerals development carried out under the planning permission before the date of suspension of minerals development.
(6)
For the purposes of paragraphs (2) to (5), “minerals development” (“datblygiad mwynau”) means development consisting of the winning and working of minerals, or involving the depositing of mineral waste.
Determination of conditions and right of appeal on non-determination
8.
(1)
Where it falls to a mineral planning authority to determine a Schedule 1 or a Schedule 2 application, paragraph 2(6)(b) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 9(9) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act or paragraph 6(8) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act does not have effect to treat the authority as having determined the conditions to which any relevant planning permission is to be subject unless either—
(a)
the mineral planning authority has adopted a screening opinion; or
(b)
the Welsh Ministers have made a screening direction to the effect that the ROMP development in question is not EIA development;
(2)
Where it falls to a mineral planning authority or the Welsh Ministers to determine a Schedule 1 or a Schedule 2 application—
(a)
section 69 of the 1990 Act (register of applications, etc), and any provisions of the 2012 Order made by virtue of that section, have effect with any necessary amendments as if references to applications for planning permission included ROMP applications under paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act and paragraph 6(1) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act M51; and
(b)
where the relevant mineral planning authority is not the authority required to keep the register, the relevant mineral planning authority must provide the authority required to keep it with such information and documents as that authority requires to comply with section 69 of the 1990 Act as applied by sub-paragraph (i), with regulation 23 as applied by regulation 52, and with paragraph 7(4) of this Schedule.
(3)
Where it falls to the mineral planning authority or the Welsh Ministers to determine an EIA application made under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 4(4) of that Schedule does not apply.
(4)
Where it falls to the mineral planning authority to determine an EIA application, the authority must give notice of their determination of the ROMP application within 16 weeks beginning with the date of receipt by the authority of the ROMP application or such extended period as may be agreed in writing between the applicant and the authority.
(5)
For the purposes of paragraph (4), a ROMP application is received by the authority when they receive—
(a)
a document referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations;
(b)
any documents required to accompany that statement; and
(c)
any additional information which the authority has notified the applicant that the environmental statement should contain.
(6)
Where paragraph (1) applies—
(a)
paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act and paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act (right of appeal) have effect as if there were also a right of appeal to the Welsh Ministers where the mineral planning authority have not given notice of their determination of the ROMP application in accordance with paragraph (4); and
(b)
paragraph 5(5) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 11(2) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act and paragraph 9(2) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act (right of appeal) have effect as if they also provide for notice of appeal to be made within 6 months from the expiry of the 16 week or other period agreed pursuant to paragraph (4).
(7)
In determining for the purposes of—
(a)
paragraphs 2(6)(b) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, 9(9) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act and 6(8) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act (determination of conditions); or
(b)
paragraph 5(5) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 11(2) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act and paragraph 9(2) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act (right of appeal) as applied by paragraph 8(6)(b) of this Schedule,
the time which has elapsed without the mineral planning authority giving the applicant notice of their determination in a case where the authority have notified an applicant in accordance with regulation 10(1) that the submission of an environmental statement is required and the Welsh Ministers have given a screening direction in relation to the ROMP development in question no account may be taken of any period before the issue of the direction.
ROMP application by a mineral planning authority
9.
(1)
Where a mineral planning authority propose to make or makes a ROMP application which is a Schedule 1 or a Schedule 2 application to the Welsh Ministers under regulation 11 (other consents) of the General Regulations M52, these Regulations apply to that application or proposed application as they apply to a ROMP application referred to the Welsh Ministers under paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act, paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 13 to the 1995 Act or paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 14 to the 1995 Act (reference of applications to the Welsh Ministers) subject to the following modifications—
(a)
subject to paragraph (2), regulations 5 to 10, 12, 13, 14, 16 (except for the purposes of regulations 19(3) and (4)), 18 and 24(1) do not apply;
(b)
in regulation 4 (general provisions relating to screening), paragraphs (4) and (10) do not apply;
(c)
regulation 11(2) (application referred to the Welsh Ministers without an environmental statement), applies as if “and must send a copy of that notification to the relevant planning authority” were omitted;
(d)
in regulation 15 (procedure to facilitate preparation of environmental statements)—
(i)
in sub-paragraph (3)(b) for the words “10(4)(a), or 11(5) or 12(6)” read “11(5)”;
(ii)
read paragraph (4) as if “the relevant planning authority and” and “authority or” were omitted;
(e)
in regulation 17(2) (publicity where an environmental statement is submitted after the planning application)—
(i)
in sub-paragraph (a) read as if “and the name and address of the relevant planning authority” were omitted;
(ii)
“(b)
the date on which the application was made and that it has been made to the Welsh Ministers under regulation 11 of the General Regulations;”;
(f)
read regulation 19(2) (procedure where an environmental statement is submitted to the Welsh Ministers), as if “who must send one copy to the relevant planning authority” were omitted;
(g)
in regulation 22(3) (further information and evidence in respect of environmental statements)—
(i)
read sub-paragraph (a) as if “and the name and address of the relevant planning authority” were omitted;
(ii)
“(b)
the date on which the application was made and that it has been made to the Welsh Ministers under regulation 11 of the General Regulations;”; and
(h)
regulations 23 (availability of opinions, directions etc for inspection) and 24(2) (duties to inform the public and the Welsh Ministers of final decisions) apply as if the references to a “relevant planning authority” were references to a mineral planning authority.
(2)
A mineral planning authority minded to make a ROMP application to the Welsh Ministers under regulation 11 of the General Regulations may request the Welsh Ministers to make a screening direction, and paragraphs (3) to (6) of regulation 6 apply to such a request as they apply to a request made pursuant to regulation 5(7) except as if in paragraph (5) “, and may request the relevant planning authority to provide such information as they can on any of those points” were omitted.
(3)
A request under paragraph (2) must be accompanied by—
(a)
a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)
a brief description of the nature and purpose of the ROMP development and of its possible effects on the environment; and
(c)
such other information as the authority may wish to provide or make.
(4)
An authority making a request under paragraph (10) must send to the Welsh Ministers any additional information they may request to enable them to make a direction.
ROMP applications: duty to make a prohibition order after two years suspension of permission
10.
(1)
This regulation applies if, in relation to a minerals development—
(a)
a period of 2 years beginning with the suspension date has expired, and
(b)
the steps specified in paragraph 7(2) have yet to be taken.
(2)
The “suspension date” is the date on which the suspension of the power to authorise minerals development (within the meaning of paragraph 7(3)) begins.
(3)
Paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the 1990 Act (prohibition of resumption of mineral working) M53 has effect in relation to any part of a site as it has effect in relation to the whole site.
(4)
“the mineral planning authority—
- (i)
must by order prohibit the resumption of the winning and working or the depositing; and- (ii)
may in the order impose, in relation to the site, any such requirement as is specified in sub-paragraph (3).”
(5)
In sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) of that paragraph, references to winning and working or depositing are to be read as references to winning and working or depositing for which permission is not suspended by virtue of paragraph 7(3).
(6)
Paragraph 4(7) of Schedule 9 to the 1990 Act has effect as if “have effect” read “authorise that development”.
SCHEDULE 8Statutory instruments revoked
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SCHEDULE 9Consequential amendments
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995
1.
(1)
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 M54 is amended as follows.
(2)
In article 3(10), for “the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999”, substitute “
the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016
”.
(3)
In paragraphs (10) and (11) of article 3—
(a)
for “regulation 4(7)” substitute “
regulation 4(8)
”;
(b)
for “regulation 6(4)” substitute “
regulation 6(6)
”; and
(c)
after “the Secretary of State has” in each place where those words occur, insert “
, or the Welsh Ministers have,
”.
The Gas Transporter Pipe-line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999
2.
(1)
The Gas Transporter Pipe-line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 M55 are amended as follows.
(2)
In regulation 2(1), for the definition of “the 1999 EIA Regulations” substitute “
“the 2016 EIA Regulations” means the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016;
”.
(3)
In regulation 4(3)—
(a)
for sub-paragraph (b), substitute “
be treated for the purposes of those Regulations as if it were a direction of the Welsh Ministers under regulation 6(6)
”; and
(b)
for “the 1999 EIA Regulations” (at both the other places where those words occur) substitute “
the 2016 EIA Regulations
”.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999
3.
(1)
The Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 M56 are amended as follows.
(2)
In regulation 3(1)(c)(ii), for “the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999;” substitute “
the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016
”.
The Planning (National Security Directions and Appointed Representatives) (Wales) Regulations 2006
4.
(1)
The Planning (National Security Directions and Appointed Representatives) (Wales) Regulations 2006 M57 are amended as follows.
(2)
In the definition of “EIA application” in regulation 6(8), for “the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999”, substitute “
the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016
”.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Wales) Regulations 2007
5.
(1)
The Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Wales) Regulations 2007 M58 are amended as follows.
(2)
In regulation 3(2)(b), for “the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 apply”, substitute “
the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016 apply
”.
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Undetermined Reviews of Old Mineral Permissions) (Wales) 2009
6.
(1)
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Undetermined Reviews of Old Mineral Permissions) (Wales) 2009 M59 are amended as follows.
(2)
In regulation 2(1), for “ “the 1999 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 1999”) means the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/293);”, substitute “ “the 2016 Regulations” (“Rheoliadau 2016”) means the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016;”.
(3)
“Regulations 53 and 54 of the 2016 Regulations52.
Regulations 53 (development in Wales likely to have significant effects in another EEA State) and 54 (projects in another EEA State likely to have significant transboundary effects) of the 2016 Regulations apply for the purposes of these Regulations as they apply for the purposes of the 2016 Regulations.”
(4)
For “the 1999 Regulations”, wherever it occurs, substitute “
the 2016 Regulations
”.
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011
7.
(1)
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 M60 are amended as follows.
(2)
In regulation 56, for “the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999;” substitute “
the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2016;
”
The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)
(Wales) Order 2012
8.
(1)
The 2012 Order M61 is amended as follows.
(2)
In article 2(1), in the definition of “EIA application”, “EIA development”, “environmental information” and “environmental statement”, for “the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)
(England and Wales) Regulations 1999”, substitute “
the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)
(Wales) Regulations 2016
”.
(3)
In article 18(2), for “the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)
(England and Wales) Regulations 1999”, substitute “
the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)
(Wales) Regulations 2016
”.
(4)
In article 27—
(a)
in paragraph (6)(a), for “and statement of reasons” substitute “
, statement of reasons and any environmental statement
”;
(b)
in paragraph (6)(b)(i) and (c)(i), for “and the statement of reasons” substitute “
, statement of reasons and any environmental statement
”.
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
M62M63These Regulations consolidate with amendments the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (“the 1999 Regulations”) and subsequent amending instruments. The 1999 Regulations consolidated and updated earlier instruments which implemented the 1985 Council Directive on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment .
M64M65That 1985 Directive has been replaced by Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment . Directive 2011/92/EU has been amended by EU Directive 2014/52/EU .
The main changes to the 1999 Regulations are:
Regulation 4(5) and (7) introduce a requirement for the reasons for negative screening decisions to be provided and placed on Part 1 of the register, to be available for public inspection.
Regulation 4(8) clarifies that any person may ask the Welsh Ministers to exercise the power of direction.
Regulation 8 limits the requirement for subsequent applications to be subject to the screening process to those cases where the development in question is likely to have significant effects on the environment which were not identified at the time that the initial planning permission was granted.
Regulations 27 to 36(2) are provisions relating to applications for planning permission made directly to the Welsh Ministers.
Regulation 38 requires a local planning authority who propose to make a local development order to decide whether development is EIA development; and if it is, to take certain steps to enable them to take the environmental information into consideration before making the order.
Regulation 39 applies when a local planning authority or the Welsh Ministers propose to make either a section 97 order under section 97 or 100 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, or an order under section 102 or 104 of that Act.
M66Paragraph 21 of Schedule 1 includes sites for the geological storage of carbon dioxide. Installations for the capture of carbon dioxide streams for the purposes of geological storage are included in order to implement requirements in the Directive on the Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Directive 2009/31/EC) .
These Regulations raise and amend the thresholds in Schedule 2 at which certain types of development project will need to be screened in order to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is required under the Directive. These changes are made having taken into account the selection criteria in Annex III to Directive 2011/92/EU, as adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on 13 December 2011.
The threshold for industrial estate development projects is raised from areas exceeding 0.5 hectares to areas exceeding 5 hectares (in paragraph 10(a) of the table in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2).
In the case of urban development projects, the existing threshold of 0.5 hectares is raised and amended such that a project needs to be screened if—
— the development includes more than 1 hectare of development which is not dwellinghouse development; or
— the development includes more than 150 dwellinghouses; or
— the area of the development exceeds 5 hectares (see paragraph 10(b) of the table in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2).
A definition of “dwellinghouse” is inserted in regulation 2(1) for clarification in this context.
Paragraph 13 of the table in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 contains an amendment to the provisions relating to changes or extensions to existing development, so that the effects of the development as a whole once modified are considered.
A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in relation to these Regulations. Copies may be obtained from Planning Division, The Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and on the website at https://www.wales.gov.uk.