{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/harbours-act-1964/schedule-3/paragraph-20C",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/harbours-act-1964/schedule-3/paragraph-20C.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1964/40",
  "legislation_title": "Harbours Act 1964",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/harbours-act-1964",
  "path": "schedule/3/paragraph/20C",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "20C",
  "heading": null,
  "text": "(1) The Secretary of State may direct that an environmental impact assessment is not required for a project if satisfied that—\n(a) it is appropriate to do so by reason of exceptional circumstances,\n(b) carrying out the assessment would have an adverse effect on the fulfilment of the purpose of the project,\n(c) the objectives of the EIA Directive will be met even though the assessment is not carried out, and\n(d) the project is unlikely to have significant effects on the environment in an EEA State.\n(2) Before giving a direction under sub-paragraph (1), the Secretary of State must consider whether another form of assessment of the effects of the project on the environment would be appropriate.\n(3) The Secretary of State must—\n(a) as soon as reasonably practicable, make a copy of any direction given and a statement of the reasons for which it is given available for inspection on an official website,\n(b) publish the results of any other assessment considered appropriate for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2), and\n(c) keep the copy of the direction and the results (if any) available on the website throughout the period of three months beginning with the day on which the information is first made available on the website in accordance with this paragraph.\n(4) A failure to make information available throughout the period specified in sub-paragraph (3)(c) is to be disregarded if—\n(a) the information was available on the official website for part of that period, and\n(b) the failure is wholly attributable to circumstances that it would not be reasonable to expect the Secretary of State to prevent or avoid.\n(4) If the Secretary of State gives a direction under sub-paragraph (1), paragraph 19 applies in relation to the relevant application as if the matters listed in sub-paragraph (4) of that paragraph included any results published under sub-paragraph (3)(b) of this paragraph.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Sch. 3 substituted (1.2.2000) by The Harbour Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/3445), reg. 15(4), Sch. 3"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Sch. 3 paras. 20A-20G and cross-headings inserted (5.12.2017) by The Environmental Impact Assessment (Miscellaneous Amendments Relating to Harbours, Highways and Transport) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1070), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 8(20) (with Sch. 6 paras. 2(2), 3(3))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 3 para. 20C(1)(d) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Harbours and Highways (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/460), regs. 1, 2(4)(i)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "word inserted",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2025/34",
      "affecting_title": "Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025"
    },
    {
      "type": "omitted",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2025/34",
      "affecting_title": "Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025"
    },
    {
      "type": "omitted",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2025/34",
      "affecting_title": "Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/40/schedule/3/paragraph/20C",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:59:36.120497+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}