Regulation 7 Consideration whether proposed works have significant effects on the environment

Where the Department proposes to carry out works it shall, taking into account the selection criteria in Schedule 1 and the available results of other environmental assessments that may be required under other legislation applicable in Northern Ireland, determine whether the proposed works are likely to have significant effects on the environment.

The Department must make the determination mentioned in paragraph (1) within 90 days of the date on which the proposal to carry out the works was made.

The Department must make appropriate administrative arrangements to ensure that there is a functional separation, when performing any function under these Regulations, between the persons bringing forward a proposal for works and the persons responsible for making the determination mentioned in paragraph (1).