Regulation 6 Amendments to the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004

(1)

Regulation 15 (plans and programmes of other Member States) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (4)—

(a)

after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)
publish the draft plan or programme and the relevant environmental report provided by the Member State (“the relevant transboundary documents”) on a public website at which the documents may be viewed and downloaded free of charge;

(ab)
provide a copy of the relevant transboundary documents by email to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request;

(ac)
provide one copy of the relevant transboundary documents by post to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request, unless it is not reasonably practicable for the Secretary of State to provide a copy by post for reasons connected to the effects of coronavirus, including restrictions on movement;

(ad)
make available a telephone number for the public to make enquiries in relation to the relevant transboundary documents;”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (b)—

(i)

for “them” substitute “the consultation bodies”; and

(ii)

for “(which may include a website)” to the end substitute “of the public website at which those documents may be viewed and downloaded free of charge”;

(c)

in sub-paragraph (d) —

(i)

for “(which may include a website)” substitute “of the public website”; and

(ii)

for “inspected, or from” to the end substitute “viewed and downloaded free of charge”; and

(d)

omit the “and” at the end of sub-paragraph (d);

(e)

after sub-paragraph (d) insert—

“(da)
inform the transboundary consultees of—

(i)
the fact that a copy of the relevant transboundary documents may be obtained by email from the Secretary of State;

(ii)
the fact that a copy of the relevant transboundary documents may be obtained by post from the Secretary of State, provided that it is reasonably practicable for the Secretary of State to provide a copy by post;

(iii)
the address, email address and telephone number for the purpose of requesting a copy of the relevant transboundary documents either by email or by post, and;

(iv)
whether a charge will be made for copies of the relevant transboundary documents provided by post, and the amount of any charge; and

(v)
the telephone number which can be used to contact the responsible authority for enquiries in relation to the relevant transboundary documents; and”.

(3)

In paragraph (6)—

(a)

for “(4)(d)” substitute “(4)(ac)”; and

(b)

after “copies” insert “of the relevant transboundary documents by post”.