Section 154 Power to define “relevant consent” and “relevant plan” etcI1

EOR regulations may provide that a consent of a description specified in the regulations (a “category 1 consent”) is to be a “relevant consent” for the purposes of this Part in all cases.

EOR regulations may provide that a consent of a description specified in the regulations (a “category 2 consent”) is to be a “relevant consent” for the purposes of this Part only if certain criteria specified in EOR regulations are met.

EOR regulations may make provision about, or in connection with, how, when and by whom it is to be determined whether criteria are met, such that a category 2 consent is a relevant consent.

EOR regulations may impose a requirement for a consent in relation to a project, which is to be a category 1 consent or a category 2 consent.

EOR regulations may make provision about, or in connection with, how a consent which is required under subsection (4) is to be given, including provision for it to be given (or refused) by an environmental outcomes report.

“Relevant plan” means a plan or programme which—

References in this Part to a proposed relevant consent or proposed relevant plan include references to a proposed variation or modification of, or revision to, a relevant consent or relevant plan (however described).

“Consent” means any consent, approval, permission, authorisation, confirmation or decision (however described, given or made) that is required, or otherwise provided for, by or under any enactment in relation to a project.

“Project” means a project in the United Kingdom F1, a relevant offshore area or, where subsection (10) applies, an area beyond national jurisdiction involving—

This subsection applies where the activity within any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of subsection (9) is or involves a licensable marine activity within the meaning of—

In this section, “area beyond national jurisdiction” has the meaning given by Article 1(2) of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, opened for signature at New York on 20 September 2023.