Regulation 17 The consent decision

(1)

Natural England may grant, or refuse to grant, consent for a significant project in accordance with this regulation.

(2)

When deciding whether to grant consent for a significant project, Natural England must consider—

(a)

the environmental statement;

(b)

any additional environmental information;

(c)

any representations it receives under—

(i)

regulation 13(4)(b) and (5)(c),

(ii)

regulation 14(2)(b) and (3)(d), and

(iii)

regulation 15(5)(b); and

(d)

any social or economic impacts which might result from a decision to refuse consent for the project.

(3)

Natural England must not reach its decision under paragraph (1) until after either—

(a)

the expiry of the period in the notice under regulation 12(5)(c);

(b)

the expiry of the period of 28 days after—

(i)

the date on which any additional environmental information was sent to the consultation bodies, or

(ii)

the date notice of the additional environmental information was published under regulation 14(3),

whichever is the later; or

(c)

the expiry of any period agreed with another EEA State under regulation 15(6)(b),

whichever is the last to occur.