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The Scottish Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972[1] and section 40 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997[2] and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, and having taken into account the selection criteria in Annex III to Council Directive 85/337/EEC[3] as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC[4], hereby make the following Regulations: Citation and commencement 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999 and shall come into force on 1st August 1999. Interpretation 2. - (1) In this Part, except where the context otherwise requires-
(b) Scottish Natural Heritage; (c) the water and sewerage authority or authorities for the area in which the development is to take place; (d) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency; (e) the Health and Safety Executive; (f) the Scottish Ministers;
(b) Schedule 2 development likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location;
(b) that includes at least the information referred to in Part II of Schedule 4;
(b) any applicable threshold or criterion in the corresponding part of Column 2 of that table is respectively exceeded or met in relation to that development;
(b) land to which subsection (3) of section 29 (nature conservation orders) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 applies; (c) a property appearing on the World Heritage List kept under article 11(2) of the 1972 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage[11]; (d) a scheduled monument within the meaning of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979[12]; (e) a European site within the meaning of regulation 10 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994[13]; (f) an area designated as a Natural Heritage Area by a direction made by the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers under section 6(2) of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991[14] or as a National Scenic Area by a direction made by the Secretary of State under section 262C of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972[15].
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), expressions used both in these Regulations and in the Act have the same meaning for the purposes of these Regulations as they have for the purposes of the Act. General provisions relating to screening 4. - (1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the occurrence of an event mentioned in paragraph (2) shall determine for the purpose of these Regulations that development is EIA development. (2) The events referred to in paragraph (1) are-
(b) the adoption by the relevant planning authority of a screening opinion to the effect that the development is EIA development.
(3) A direction of the Scottish Ministers shall determine for the purpose of these Regulations whether development is or is not EIA development.
(b) the Scottish Ministers make a screening direction under these Regulations;
to the effect that development is EIA development-
(ii) the authority or the Scottish Ministers, as the case may be, shall send a copy of the opinion or direction and a copy of the written statement required by sub-paragraph (i) to the person who proposes to carry out, or who has carried out, the development in question.
(7) The Scottish Ministers may make a screening direction irrespective of whether they have received a request to do so.
(b) a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and (c) such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(3) An authority receiving a request for a screening opinion shall, if they consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to adopt an opinion, notify in writing the person making the request of the points on which they require additional information.
(b) adopt an opinion to the effect that the development is EIA development;
the person who requested the opinion may request the Scottish Ministers to make a screening direction.
(b) a copy of any notification under regulation 5(3) which he has received and of any response; (c) a copy of any screening opinion he has received from the authority and of any accompanying statement of reasons; and (d) any representations that he wishes to make.
(2) When a person makes a request pursuant to regulation 5(6), he shall send to the relevant planning authority a copy of that request and of any representations he makes to the Scottish Ministers, and that authority may, within two weeks of receiving those documents, provide the Scottish Ministers with their comments on the request and representations. Application made to a planning authority without an environmental statement 7. - (1) Where it appears to the relevant planning authority that-
(b) the development in question has not been the subject of a screening opinion or screening direction; and (c) the application is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,
paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 5 shall apply as if the receipt or lodging of the application were a request made under regulation 5(1).
(b) unless the Scottish Ministers have made a screening direction in respect of the development, stating that he is writing to them to request a screening direction.
(5) If the applicant does not write to the authority in accordance with paragraph (4), the permission sought shall, unless the Scottish Ministers have made a screening direction to the effect that the development is not EIA development, be deemed to be refused at the end of the relevant three week period, and the deemed refusal-
(b) shall not give rise to an appeal to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 47 (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions).
(6) An authority which has given a notification in accordance with paragraph (2) shall, unless the Scottish Ministers make a screening direction to the effect that the development is not EIA development, determine the relevant application only by refusing planning permission if the applicant does not submit an environmental statement and comply with regulation 13(3).
(b) all documents sent to the authority as part of the application; and (c) all correspondence between the applicant and the authority relating to the proposed development,
and paragraphs (2) to (5) of regulation 6 shall apply to a request under this regulation as they apply to a request made pursuant to regulation 5(6).
(b) the development in question has not been the subject of a screening opinion or screening direction; and (c) the application is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the applicant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,
paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 6 shall apply as if the referral of the application were a request made by the applicant pursuant to regulation 5(6).
(b) the development in question has not been the subject of a screening opinion or screening direction; and (c) the relevant application is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the appellant as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations,
paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 6 shall apply as if the appeal were a request made by the appellant pursuant to regulation 5(6). Scoping opinions of the planning authority 10. - (1) A person who is minded to make an EIA application may ask the relevant planning authority to state in writing their opinion as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement (a "scoping opinion"). (2) A request under paragraph (1) shall include-
(b) a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and (c) such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(3) An authority receiving a request under paragraph (1) shall, if they consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to adopt a scoping opinion, notify the person making the request of the points on which they require additional information.
(b) the specific characteristics of development of the type concerned; and (c) the environmental features likely to be affected by the development.
(7) Where an authority fail to adopt a scoping opinion within the relevant period mentioned in paragraph (4) or (5), the person who requested the opinion may under regulation 11(1) ask the Scottish Ministers to make a direction as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement (a "scoping direction").
(b) a copy of any relevant notification under regulation 10(3) and of any response; (c) a copy of any relevant screening opinion received by the person making the request and of any accompanying statement of reasons; and (d) any representations that the person making the request wishes to make.
(2) When a person makes a request under paragraph (1) he shall send to the relevant planning authority a copy of that request, but that copy need not include the matters mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of that paragraph. |
Procedure to facilitate preparation of environmental statements
(b) a written statement made pursuant to regulation 7(4)(a), 8(4) or 9(3),
shall-
(ii) inform in writing the person who intends to submit an environmental statement of the names and addresses of the bodies so notified.
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), the relevant planning authority and any body notified in accordance with paragraph (3) shall, if requested by the person who intends to submit an environmental statement, enter into consultation with that person to determine whether the authority or body have in their possession any information which he or they consider relevant to the preparation of the environmental statement and, if they have, the authority or body shall make that information available to that person. Publicity for environmental statement 13. - (1) In an EIA application, when the applicant or appellant submits to the Scottish Ministers or the relevant planning authority a statement which he refers to as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations, he shall serve on any party who holds a notifiable interest in neighbouring land a notice in the form set out in Schedule 5 (or in a form substantially to the like effect) stating-
(b) the address at which copies of the statement may be acquired; (c) the cost of a copy of the statement; and (d) that representations may be made.
(2) The parties holding a notifiable interest in neighbouring land are the owners, lessees and occupiers of the land.
(b) that no notification in terms of paragraph (1) is required; or (c) that the applicant has taken such steps as are reasonably open to him (specifying them) to ascertain the names and addresses of all the parties holding a notifiable interest in neighbouring land, and either-
(ii) that notices have been served in terms of paragraph (1) on one or more of the parties holding a notifiable interest in neighbouring land but that the names and addresses of the other parties holding a notifiable interest have not been ascertained.
(4) The certificate under paragraph (3) shall, where appropriate, state the names and addresses of all those parties having a notifiable interest in neighbouring land who have been notified in terms of paragraph (1).
(b) send to the Scottish Ministers a copy of the application, and of any plans and other documents sent with it, and 3 copies of the statement; and (c) send a copy of the statement to each consultation body, consult them about it and inform them that they may make representations.
(2) Where an applicant for planning permission submits a statement such as is referred to in paragraph (1) to the relevant planning authority, he shall let them have enough copies of the environmental statement or parts thereof to enable them to comply with paragraph (1)(c) and 5 additional copies.
(b) that further information is reasonably required to give proper consideration to the likely environmental effects of the proposed development,
they shall notify the applicant or appellant in writing and the applicant or appellant shall provide that further information (and such further information provided by the applicant or appellant is referred to in these Regulations as "further information").
(b) is required to be provided for the purposes of an appeal under section 130,
regulations 14 and 16 to 18 shall apply to the submission of such further information as they apply to the submission of an environmental statement (subject to any necessary modifications) and regulation 13 shall similarly apply subject to substitution, in paragraph (1), of "in Schedule 6" in place of "in Schedule 5". Availability of opinions, directions etc. for inspection 20. - (1) Where particulars of a planning application are placed on Part I of the register, the relevant planning authority shall take steps to secure that there is also placed on that Part a copy of any relevant-
(b) screening direction; (c) scoping opinion; (d) scoping direction; (e) notification given under regulation 7(2), 8(2) or 9(2); (f) direction under regulation 4(4); (g) environmental statement, including any further information; (h) statement of reasons accompanying any of the above.
(2) Where the relevant planning authority-
(b) receive-
(ii) a copy of a screening direction, scoping direction, or direction under regulation 4(4),
before an application is made for planning permission for the development in question, the authority shall take steps to secure that a copy of the opinion, request, or direction and any accompanying statement of reasons is made available for public inspection at all reasonable hours at the place where the appropriate register (or relevant section of that register) is kept.
(3) Documents made available under paragraph (2) shall remain so available for a period of two years.
(b) inform the public of the decision (and of where the statement referred to in sub-paragraph (c) may be inspected), by publishing a notice in a newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land is situated, or by such other means as are reasonable in the circumstances; and (c) make available for public inspection at the place where the appropriate register (or relevant section of that register) is kept a statement containing-
(ii) the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based; and (iii) a description, where necessary, of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the development.
(2) Where an EIA application is determined by the Scottish Ministers, they shall-
(b) provide the authority with such a statement as is mentioned in paragraph (1)(c).
(3) The relevant planning authority shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a notification under paragraph (2)(a), comply with sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph (1) in relation to the decision so notified as if it were a decision of the authority. Development by planning authority - preliminary 22. - (1) Before a planning authority take any action under regulation 4 of the 1981 Regulations in respect of development which appears to them to be Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 development, they shall-
(b) request the Scottish Ministers in writing to make a screening direction.
(2) Where a planning authority are minded to undertake development which appears to them to be Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 development and which they consider may be development-
(b) for which permission would be granted but for regulation 27(1), they shall-
(ii) request the Scottish Ministers in writing to make a screening direction.
(3) Any approach for consultation or request to the Scottish Ministers under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be accompanied by-
(b) a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and (c) such other information or representations as the authority may wish to provide or make.
(4) Paragraphs (3) and (4) of regulation 6 shall apply to a request under paragraph (1)(b) or (2)(ii) of this regulation as they apply to a request made pursuant to regulation 5(6).
(b) make available copies of the environmental statement for inspection by, and sale to, the public; and (c) in addition to publishing a notice in a local newspaper under regulation 4(1) of the 1981 Regulations, publish such a notice in The Edinburgh Gazette.
(2) The notice to be so published shall contain, in addition to the information specified in regulation 4(1) of the 1981 Regulations, a statement-
(b) that copies of the environmental statement may be inspected and acquired at the same address and times as the plans of the development may be inspected; (c) of the cost of a copy of the environmental statement; and (d) that representations may be made in writing to the planning authority within 4 weeks of the date of publication under paragraph (1)(c) (or the later date of such publication where the notices were not published on the same day).
(3) In addition to the consultations carried out under regulation 4(2)(b) of the 1981 Regulations, the planning authority shall consult the consultation bodies on the environmental statement, shall send each of them a copy thereof and shall inform them that they may make representations. Restriction of grant of permission by old simplified planning zone schemes or enterprise zone orders 27. - (1) Any-
(b) order designating an enterprise zone[19]; or (c) approval of a modified scheme in relation to an enterprise zone,
which has effect immediately before the commencement of these Regulations to grant planning permission shall, on and after that date, cease to have effect to grant planning permission for Schedule 1 development, and cease to have effect to grant planning permission for Schedule 2 development unless either-
(ii) the Scottish Ministers have made a screening direction,
to the effect that the particular proposed development is not EIA development.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not affect the completion of any development begun before the commencement of these Regulations.
(b) order designating an enterprise zone made; or (c) modified scheme in relation to an enterprise zone approved,
after the commencement of these Regulations shall-
(ii) grant planning permission for Schedule 2 development unless that grant is made subject to the prior adoption of a screening opinion or prior making of a screening direction that the particular proposed development is not EIA development.
Prohibition on the grant of planning permission for unauthorised EIA development 29. The Scottish Ministers shall not grant planning permission under subsection (1) of section 133 (grant or modification of planning permission on appeals against enforcement notices) in respect of EIA development which is the subject of an enforcement notice under section 127 (issue of enforcement notice) ("unauthorised EIA development") unless they have first taken the environmental information into consideration, and they shall state in their decision that they have done so. Screening opinions of the planning authority 30. - (1) Where it appears to the planning authority by whom or on whose behalf an enforcement notice is to be issued that the matters constituting the breach of planning control comprise or include Schedule 1 development or Schedule 2 development, they shall, before the enforcement notice is issued, adopt a screening opinion. (2) Where it appears to the planning authority by whom or on whose behalf an enforcement notice is to be issued that the matters constituting the breach of planning control comprise or include EIA development they shall serve with a copy of the enforcement notice a notice ("regulation 30 notice") which shall-
(b) require a person who gives notice of an appeal under section 130 to submit to the Scottish Ministers with the notice four copies of an environmental statement relating to that EIA development and to provide them with such further copies as they may require under regulation 35(2).
(3) The authority by whom a regulation 30 notice has been served shall send a copy of it to-
(b) the consultation bodies.
(4) Where an authority provide the Scottish Ministers with a copy of a regulation 30 notice, they shall also provide them with a list of the other persons to whom a copy of the notice has been or is to be sent.
(ii) a copy of the enforcement notice which accompanied it; and (iii) such other information or representations as the applicant may wish to provide or make;
(b) the applicant shall send to the authority by whom the regulation 30 notice was served, at such time as he applies to the Scottish Ministers, a copy of the application under this regulation and of any information or representations provided or made in accordance with paragraph (a)(iii);
Provision of information
(b) the appeal in so far as it is brought under the ground mentioned in section 130(1)(a) ("the ground (a) appeal"),
shall lapse at the end of the period specified in the notice. |
Appeal to the Scottish Ministers without an environmental statement
(b) notice need not be given under paragraph (a) where the appellant has submitted a statement which he refers to as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations to the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of an appeal under section 47 (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions) which-
(ii) is to be determined at the same time as that appeal under section 130;
and that statement, any further information, and the representations (if any) made in relation to it shall be treated as the environmental statement and representations for the purpose of regulation 29;
Procedure where an environmental statement is submitted to the Scottish Ministers
(b) if an appellant to whom a notice has been given under sub-paragraph (a) fails to provide the further information within the period specified or allowed (as the case may be), the deemed application and the ground (a) appeal (if any) shall lapse at the end of that period.
(2) Regulation 35 shall apply in relation to further information received by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with paragraph (1) as it applies to such a statement as is referred to in that regulation.
(b) the address or location of the land to which the notice relates and the nature of the development; (c) that a copy of the statement or further information may be inspected by members of the public at all reasonable hours; (d) an address in the locality in which the land is situated at which the statement or further information may be inspected, and the latest date on which it will be available for inspection (being a date not less than 21 days later than the date on which the notice is published); (e) that any person wishing to make representations about any matter dealt with in the statement or further information should make them in writing, no later than 14 days after the date specified in accordance with sub-paragraph (d), to the Scottish Ministers; and (f) the address to which any such representations should be sent.
(2) The authority shall as soon as practicable after publication of a notice in accordance with paragraph (1) send to the Scottish Ministers a copy of the notice certified by or on behalf of the authority as having been published in a named newspaper on a date specified in the certificate.
(b) every direction received by the authority under regulation 31(d) or 33(4); (c) every notice received by the authority under regulation 34(d); and (d) every statement and all further information received by the authority under regulation 35;
and copies of those documents shall remain so available for a period of two years or until they are entered in Part II of the register in accordance with paragraph (2), whichever is the sooner.
(b) in regulation 40(3)(a) the words "a copy of the application concerned" were replaced by the words "a description of the development concerned";
Development in Scotland likely to have significant effects in another EEA State 40. - (1) Where-
(b) another EEA State likely to be significantly affected by such development so requests,
the Scottish Ministers shall-
(ii) publish the information in sub-paragraph (i) above in a notice placed in The Edinburgh Gazette indicating the address where additional information is available; and (iii) give the EEA State a reasonable time in which to indicate whether it wishes to participate in the procedure for which these Regulations provide.
(2) The particulars referred to in paragraph (1)(i) are-
(b) information on the nature of the decision which may be taken.
(3) Where an EEA State indicates, in accordance with paragraph (1)(iii), that it wishes to participate in the procedure for which these Regulations provide, the Scottish Ministers shall as soon as possible send to that EEA State the following information-
(b) a copy of the environmental statement in respect of the development to which that application relates; and (c) relevant information regarding the procedure under these Regulations,
but only to the extent that such information has not been provided to the EEA State earlier in accordance with paragraph (1)(i).
(b) ensure that those authorities and the public concerned are given an opportunity, before planning permission for the development is granted, to forward to the Scottish Ministers, within a reasonable time, their opinion on the information supplied.
(5) The Scottish Ministers shall, in accordance with Article 7(4) of the Directive-
(b) determine in agreement with the other EEA State a reasonable period of time for the duration of the consultation period.
(6) Where an EEA State has been consulted in accordance with paragraph (5), on the determination of the application concerned the Scottish Ministers shall inform the EEA State of the decision and shall forward to it a statement of-
(b) the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based; and (c) a description, where necessary, of the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, offset the major adverse effects of the development.
Projects in another EEA State likely to have significant transboundary effects
(b) determine in agreement with that EEA State a reasonable period, before development consent for the project is granted, during which members of the public in Scotland may submit to the competent authority in that EEA State representations pursuant to Article 7(3)(b) of the Directive.
(2) The Scottish Ministers, insofar as they are concerned, shall also-
(b) ensure that those authorities and the public concerned in Scotland are given an opportunity, before development consent for the project is granted, to forward to the competent authority in the relevant EEA State, within a reasonable time, their opinion on the information supplied.
Service of notices etc. 42. Any notice or other document to be sent, served or given under these Regulations may be served or given in a manner specified in section 271 (service of notices). Application to the Court of Session 43. For the purposes of Part XI of the Act (validity), the references in section 239(1)(b) and (2) to action of the Scottish Ministers which is not within the powers of the Act shall be taken to extend to a grant of planning permission by the Scottish Ministers in contravention of regulation 3 or 29. Hazardous waste and material change of use 44. A change in the use of land or buildings to a use for a purpose mentioned in paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 involves a material change in the use of that land or those buildings for the purposes of subsection (1) of section 26 (meaning of "development"). Extension of the period for an authority's decision on a planning application 45. - (1) In determining for the purposes of section 47 (right to appeal against planning decisions and failure to take such decisions) the time which has elapsed without the relevant planning authority giving notice to the applicant of their decision in a case where-
(b) the Scottish Ministers have given a screening direction in relation to the development in question,
no account shall be taken of any period before the issue of the direction.
(b) after paragraph (3) of that article there were inserted-
Extension of the power to provide in a development order for the giving of directions as respects the manner in which planning applications are dealt with
(3) In article 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992[23], the definitions of "annex 1 application", "annex 2 application" and "Environmental Assessment Regulations" shall be deleted.
(b) the Scottish Ministers have made a screening direction under regulation 4(7) or 6(4) of those Regulations that the development is not EIA development; or (c) the Scottish Ministers have given a direction under regulation 4(4) of those Regulations that the development is exempted from the application of these Regulations.
(9) Where-
(b) the Scottish Ministers have directed that development is EIA development,
that development shall be treated, for the purposes of paragraph (8), as development which is not permitted by this Order.".
(5) In article 3(10) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992-
(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for "V of the Environmental Assessment Regulations" there is substituted "IV of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999"; and (c) in sub-paragraphs (e) and (f), for "1st September 1997" there is substituted "1st August 1999".
(6) For Class 31 in Part 12 in Schedule 1 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, there is substituted-
(b) on land outside but adjoining the boundary of an existing road of works required for or incidental to the maintenance or improvement of the road.".
(7) For article 16 of the general development order, there is substituted-
(8) In the Public Gas Transporter Pipe-Line Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 1999[24]-
(ii) in sub-paragraph (a), for the words after "whether" there is substituted "the pipe-line works in question are, or are not, EIA development within the meaning of the 1999 Scottish EIA Regulations"; and (iii) for sub-paragraph (b), there is substituted the following sub-paragraph:-
General 48. The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984[25] shall be amended in accordance with this Part. Sections 20A and 20B 49. For section 20A[26] there shall be substituted the following:-
20A. - (1) If the Scottish Ministers have under consideration the construction of a new road for which they are the roads authority they shall before details of the project are published, determine whether or not it falls within Annex I or II. (2) If the Scottish Ministers determine that the project-
(b) is a relevant project falling within Annex II and that having regard to the selection criteria contained in Annex III it should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with the Directive,
they shall, not later than the date when details of the project are published, publish an environmental statement.
(b) having regard in particular to current knowledge and methods of assessment, the information may reasonably be gathered,
the environmental statement published in accordance with subsection (2) above shall contain the information referred to in Annex IV.
(b) a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy significant adverse effects; (c) the data required to identify and assess the main effects which the project is likely to have on the environment; (d) an outline of the main alternatives studied by the Scottish Ministers and an indication of the main reason for their choice (taking into account the environmental effects); and (e) a non-technical summary of the information mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d).
(9) In this section and section 20B of this Act-
(b) are situated in whole or in part in a sensitive area;
Projects with significant transboundary effects
(b) an EEA State the environment of which is likely to be significantly affected by such a project asks the Scottish Ministers for information about it.
(2) The Scottish Ministers shall give to the EEA State-
(b) any information which they have about the nature of the decision which may be taken on the project; (c) where they consider it appropriate, information about the environmental impact assessment procedure; and (d) a reasonable period within which to indicate whether the EEA State wishes to participate in that procedure of this Act.
(3) Subsection (2)(a) and (b) above must be complied with no later than the date of publication of the notice referred to in section 20A(3) of this Act.
(b) any information about the environmental impact assessment procedure which they consider it appropriate to give and which has not already been made available to that EEA State.
(5) The Scottish Ministers shall also-
(ii) members of the public in the EEA State who are likely to be concerned; and
(b) ensure that those authorities and the members of the public concerned are given a reasonable opportunity to express an opinion before they decide whether to proceed with the project.
(6) In accordance with Article 7(4) of the Directive, the Scottish Ministers shall-
(b) agree with the EEA State a reasonable period for that consultation.
(7) Where an EEA State has been consulted in accordance with subsection (4) above, the Scottish Ministers shall inform the EEA State of the decision and give it copies of the documents referred to in paragraph 7(1B) or 13(1B) as the case may be of Schedule 1 to this Act. |
Sections 55A and 55B
55A. - (1) If the Scottish Ministers as roads authority have under consideration-
(b) the improvement of a road without such an order,
they shall, before details of the project are published, determine whether or not it falls within Annex I or Annex II.
(b) is a relevant project falling within Annex II and that, having regard to the selection criteria contained in Annex III, it should be made subject to an environmental impact assessment in accordance with the Directive,
they shall no later than the date when details of the project are published, publish an environmental statement.
Section 151
(b) Scottish Natural Heritage; (c) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency established under section 20 of the Environment Act 1995; and (d) Historic Scotland;";
(b) for the definition of "environmental assessment" there shall be substituted-
Schedule 1
(b) any opinion expressed by a member of the public, by any of the consultation bodies or by any EEA State consulted under section 20B of this Act.
(1B) When the Scottish Ministers have decided whether to proceed with the project in relation to which an environmental impact assessment has been made they shall publish their decision together with a statement confirming that they have complied with sub-paragraph (1A) above and shall make available to the public documents containing-
(b) the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based; and (c) where their decision is to proceed with the project, a description of the main measures which will be taken to avoid, reduce and if possible offset any major adverse effects of the project.
(1C) Any requirement for publication in connection with an environmental impact assessment shall be met by publication in The Edinburgh Gazette and in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area in which the project is situated.".
Application
(b) in relation to which a draft order or scheme was published before that date; or (c) where a draft order was not required and for which the works contract had been entered into before that date.
Application 54. This Part applies to proposed drainage works which are likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue inter alia of their nature, size or location and for which authority under the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958[32] to execute these works is sought from the Scottish Ministers on or after 1st August 1999. Interpretation 55. In this Part, except where the context otherwise requires-
(ii) "drainage works"; and (iii) "owner";
(c) the following phrases have the meanings assigned to them by regulation 2(1):-
(ii) "environmental information"; and (iii) "environmental statement".
Request for the opinion of the Scottish Ministers on the information to be supplied under this Part
(b) a brief description of the nature and purpose of the proposed development and its possible effects on the environment; and (c) such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(3) Where the Scottish Ministers upon receipt of a request under paragraph (1) consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to give an opinion they shall notify the owner of the particular points on which they require further information.
(b) the environmental features likely to be affected by those works; and (c) the extent to which the owner who requested the opinion may reasonably be required to compile the information, having regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment.
(6) Where the Scottish Ministers have given an opinion in response to a request under paragraph (1), they shall not be precluded from subsequently requiring the owner to submit further information.
(b) the area of the proposed works or any part thereof lies within a site of special scientific interest.
(2) Where this regulation applies, the owner shall submit an environmental statement to the Scottish Ministers along with the application under section 1 of the Act and the Scottish Ministers shall-
(b) forward a copy of the statement to the local authorities and statutory bodies affected or likely to be concerned by the drainage works by reason of their specific environmental responsibilities (including, where appropriate, the consultation bodies).
Further information respecting environmental statement
(b) the environmental features likely to be affected by those works; and (c) the extent to which the owner may reasonable be required to have regard to current knowledge and methods of assessment.
Confidentiality Amendment of private legislation general orders 63. - (1) The Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) General Orders 1946[35] are amended as follows. (2) In General Order 27A(2)(a), for heads (i) to (iii) there is substituted "all of the information set out in Schedule 4 to the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999". (3) In General Order 27A(2)(b), for heads (i) to (iii) there is substituted "such of the information set out in that Schedule as may be specified in a written direction given by the Secretary of State,". Revocation of statutory instruments and transitional provisions 64. - (1) The instruments in Schedule 7 are hereby revoked to the extent shown in that Schedule. (2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall affect the continued application of the provisions revoked by that paragraph to any planning application lodged or received by an authority before 1st August 1999, to any appeal in relation to such an application, or to any matter in relation to which a planning authority have before that date issued an enforcement notice under section 127 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and these Regulations shall not apply to any such application, appeal, or matter. (3) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall affect the continued application of the provisions revoked by that paragraph to any proposed drainage works such as are referred to in regulation 63 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1988 for which authority was sought before 1st August 1999. Sarah Boyack A member of the Scottish Executive St Andrew's House, Edinburgh 8th July 1999 Interpretation In this Schedule-
Descriptions of development
(b) for the processing of irradiated nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste; (c) for the final disposal of irradiated nuclear fuel; (d) solely for the final disposal of radioactive waste; (e) solely for the storage (planned for more than 10 years) of irradiated nuclear fuels or radioactive waste in a different site than the production site.
4.
- (1) Integrated works for the initial smelting of cast-iron and steel.
(b) for friction material, with an annual production of more than 50 tonnes of finished products; and (c) for other uses of asbestos, utilisation of more than 200 tonnes per year.
6.
Integrated chemical installations, that is to say, installations for the manufacture on an industrial scale of substances using chemical conversion processes, in which several units are juxtaposed and are functionally linked to one another and which are-
(b) for the production of basic inorganic chemicals; (c) for the production of phosphorous-, nitrogen- or potassium-based fertilisers (simple or compound fertilisers); (d) for the production of basic plant health products and of biocides; (e) for the production of basic pharmaceutical products using a chemical or biological process; (f) for the production of explosives.
7.
- (1) Construction of lines for long-distance railway traffic and of airports with a basic runway length of 2,100 metres or more.
(b) 3,000 places for production pigs (over 30 kg); or (c) 900 places for sows.
18.
Industrial plants for-
(b) the production of paper and board with a production capacity exceeding 200 tonnes per day.
19.
Quarries and open-cast mining where the surface of the site exceeds 25 hectares, or peat extraction where the surface of the site exceeds 150 hectares.
DESCRIPTIONS OF DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICABLE THRESHOLDS AND CRITERIA FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE DEFINITION OF "SCHEDULE 2 DEVELOPMENT" 1. In the table below-
2.
The table below sets out the descriptions of development and applicable thresholds and criteria for the purposes of classifying development as Schedule 2 development.
The carrying out of development to provide any of the following-
All development.
Characteristics of development 1. The characteristics of development must be considered having regard, in particular, to-
(b) the cumulation with other development; (c) the use of natural resources; (d) the production of waste; (e) pollution and nuisances; (f) the risk of accidents, having regard in particular to substances or technologies used.
Location of development
(b) the relative abundance, quality and regenerative capacity of natural resources in the area; (c) the absorption capacity of the natural environment, paying particular attention to the following areas-
(ii) coastal zones; (iii) mountain and forest areas; (iv) nature reserves and parks; (v) areas classified or protected under Member States' legislation; areas designated by Member States pursuant to Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds[42] and Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora[43]; (vi) areas in which the environmental quality standards laid down in Community legislation have already been exceeded; (vii) densely populated areas; (viii) landscapes of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.
Characteristics of the potential impact
(b) the transfrontier nature of the impact; (c) the magnitude and complexity of the impact; (d) the probability of the impact; (e) the duration, frequency and reversibility of the impact.
1. Description of the development, including in particular-
(b) a description of the main characteristics of the production processes, for instance, nature and quantity of the materials used; (c) an estimate, by type and quantity, of expected residues and emissions (water, air and soil pollution, noise, vibration, light, heat, radiation, etc.) resulting from the operation of the development.
2.
An outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant or appellant and an indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects.
(b) the use of natural resources; (c) the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste,
and the description by the applicant or appellant of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment. 1. A description of the development comprising information on the site, design and size of the development. 2. A description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy significant adverse effects. 3. The data required to identify and assess the main effects which the development is likely to have on the environment. 4. An outline of the main alternatives studied by the applicant or appellant and an indication of the main reasons for his choice, taking into account the environmental effects. 5. A non-technical summary of the information provided under paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Part.
(This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations implement, in relation to town and country planning, roads and drainage works in Scotland, Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (O.J. No. L 175, 5.7.1985, p.40), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC (O.J. No. L 73, 14.3.1997, p.5). The Regulations revoke and re-enact, with amendments, the relevant Parts of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1988. The main changes made by Directive 97/11/EC, which these Regulations implement, are as follows. The number of categories of project subject to environmental impact assessment (EIA) is increased. An individual determination on whether EIA is required must be made in respect of every project in Annex II to the Directive (Schedule 2 to these Regulations) which exceeds thresholds established by a Member State. Advice on the content of an environmental statement must be given to a developer who requests it before submitting an application. Competent authorities must give reasons for their decision on granting or refusing development consent. The Directive establishes detailed procedures for consulting other Member States on projects which are likely to have significant environmental effects in their territories. PART I - INTRODUCTORY Regulation 1 provides for the citation and commencement of the Regulation. PART II - TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING The Regulations impose procedural requirements in relation to the consideration of applications for planning permission under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, development by planning authorities and enforcement of planning control, and restrict the grant of permission by simplified planning zone schemes, enterprise zones and the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992. All development in Schedule 1 requires EIA. Development in Column 1 of the table in Schedule 2 which is either to be carried out in a sensitive area or satisfies a threshold or criterion in Column 2 of that table ("Schedule 2 development") requires EIA if it is likely to have significant effects on the environment. Development which requires EIA is referred to in this Part as "EIA development". Regulation 3 prohibits the grant of planning permission for EIA development unless the planning authority or the Scottish Ministers have first taken account of the environmental information (defined in regulation 2) which is before them. The prohibition applies where an application is received by or lodged by the local planning authority on or after 1st August 1999. Regulations 4 to 9 set out procedures for determining whether development is EIA development ("screening"). They require a "screening opinion" of the planning authority or a "screening direction" of the Scottish Ministers in relation to all Schedule 2 development. Such an opinion or direction must be made by reference to the criteria in Schedule 3. Where the authority or the Scottish Ministers determine that development is EIA development, they must notify the applicant (or appellant) that he is required to submit an environmental statement. Regulations 10 and 11 enable a person to seek an opinion from the local planning authority ("a scoping opinion") or the Scottish Ministers (a "scoping direction") on the information to be included in an environmental statement. The types of information which may be required are set out in Schedule 4. The planning authority or the Scottish Ministers must consult bodies with environmental responsibilities ("the consultation bodies" defined in regulation 2(1)) before adopting a scoping opinion or scoping direction. Regulation 12 requires consultation bodies, if requested, to assist the preparation of an environmental statement by making information available to the applicant. Regulation 13 requires notice of the lodging of an environmental statement to be given by the applicant or appellant to the owners and occupiers of land adjacent to that on which the proposed development is to be carried out. Regulations 14 and 16 provide as to necessary consultation where an environmental statement is received by the planning authority or the Scottish Ministers respectively. Regulations 15, 17 and 18 are concerned with the provision of copies of an environmental statement. Regulation 19 contains procedures for the provision by the applicant of information additional to that contained in the environmental statement. Regulation 20 provides for documents to be placed on the planning register or otherwise made available to the public. Regulation 21 requires planning authorities and the Scottish Ministers to provide information about decisions taken following the consideration of environmental information in accordance with this Part. Regulations 22 to 26 provide procedures for EIA in relation to development to be undertaken by planning authorities. Regulations 27 and 28 restrict the grant of planning permission by simplified planning zone schemes or enterprise zone orders. Regulations 29 to 38 establish procedures for EIA in relation to the enforcement of planning control. Regulations 39 to 41 implement Article 7 of the Directive by providing for consultation between EEA States where development is likely to have significant effects on the environment in another EEA State. Regulation 42 provides for the service of notices under the Regulations. Regulation 43 provides that a grant of permission in contravention of regulation 3 or 29 shall be treated, for the purpose of section 239 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as an act which is not within the powers of that Act. Regulation 44 provides that beginning specified operations to dispose of hazardous waste constitutes "development" under section 26 of the 1997 Act. Regulation 45 extends the time allowed to a planning authority to consider an application for planning permission for EIA development. Regulation 46 extends, in relation to EIA, the statutory power to provide in a development order for the giving of directions. Regulation 47 provides for miscellaneous and consequential amendments. Regulation 47(4) provides for a person who is minded to undertake development which would otherwise be permitted development to seek an opinion from the planning authority as to whether the development is EIA development. PART III - ROADS Regulations 48 to 53 provide procedures for the Scottish Ministers to take into consideration information on the likely environmental effects of certain trunk road projects. Regulation 49 substitutes new sections 20A and 20B for the existing section 20A of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. The new section 20A requires the Scottish Ministers, when they have under consideration the construction of a new road, to determine whether the project falls within the scope of the Directive. Where they so consider, they must publish an environmental statement. The new section makes provision as to the content of such a statement and as to giving the public and certain bodies with environmental responsibilities an opportunity to express an opinion before any decision is taken. The new section 20B provides for consultation between EEA States where a project is likely to have significant effects on the environment in another EEA State. Regulation 50 substitutes new sections 55A and 55B for the existing section 55A of the 1984 Act. New sections 55A and 55B make, in respect of improvements to trunk roads, similar provision to that being made by new sections 20A and 20B. Regulations 51 and 52 make additional amendments of the 1984 Act and regulation 53 specifies that the provisions of this Part do not apply in relation to projects where relevant procedures have been commenced before 1st August 1999. PART IV - DRAINAGE WORKS Regulations 54 to 62 provide that the Scottish Ministers shall take into consideration environmental information about any proposed drainage works for which authority under the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958 is sought if they are likely to have significant effects on the environment. Regulation 56 enables the Scottish Ministers to give an opinion in advance about the sort of information which requires to be submitted under this Part. Regulation 57 prohibits the Scottish Ministers from making an improvement order authorising drainage works which come within the scope of the Directive unless they have first taken into consideration environmental information in respect of the works. Regulation 58 requires bodies with relevant information in their possession to make it available to the applicant for the improvement order. Regulation 59 requires an environmental statement to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers and also requires them to notify and publicise the environmental statement in the same manner as a draft order under the First Schedule to the 1958 Act. Regulation 60 enables the Scottish Ministers to require the applicant to submit further environmental information and regulations 61 and 62 make provision as to confidentiality and charges respectively. PART V - GENERAL Regulation 63 makes amendments to the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) General Orders 1946 consequential on provisions elsewhere in the Regulations. Regulation 64 and Schedule 7 contain revocations and transitional provisions. A Regulatory Impact Appraisal has been prepared in relation to these Regulations. It has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre and copies may be obtained from Planning Division, Scottish Executive Development Department, Area 2-H, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ (Telephone 0131 244 7066). Notes: [1] 1972 c.68; section 2(2) was amended by the Scotland Act 1998 (c.46), Schedule 8, paragraph 15; functions of the Secretary of State under section 2(2) were transferred to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of that Act.back [2] 1997 c.8; the functions of the Secretary of State were transferred to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998.back [3] O.J. No. L175, 5.7.1985, p.40.back [4] O.J. No. L73, 14.3.1997, p.5.back [5] S.I. 1981/829, amended by S.I. 1984/238.back [6] O.J. No. L175, 5.7.1985, p.40. Council Directive 85/337/EEC was amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC, O.J. No. L73, 14.3.97, p.5.back [9] S.I. 1992/224, amended by S.I. 1992/2083, 1993/1039, 1994/2585 and 3293, 1996/467 and 1997/749.back [11] See Command Paper 9424.back [12] 1979 c.46. See the definition in section 1(11).back [15] 1972 c.52; section 6(9) of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 contained a saving provision for any areas which were designated as National Scenic Areas under section 262C of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 as at the date of repeal of that section by section 27 of, and Schedule 11 to, that 1991 Act.back [16] S.I. 1992/3240, amended by S.I. 1998/1447.back [17] S.I. 1992/223; relevant amending instrument is S.I. 1997/1871.back [18] See section 50 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.back [19] See sections 55 and 56 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and Schedule 32 to the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c.65).back [20] S.I. 1997/3061, as amended by S.I. 1998/1196.back [21] O.J. No. L194, 25.7.1975, p.39. Council Directive 75/442/EEC was amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC (O.J. No. L78, 26.3.1991, p.32) and by Commission Decision 94/3/EC (O.J. No. L5, 7.1.1994, p.15).back [22] O.J. No. L337, 31.12.1991, p.20. Council Directive 91/689/EEC was amended by Council Directive 94/31/EC (O.J. No. L168, 2.7.1994, p.28).back [23] S.I. 1992/223; relevant amendment instrument is S.I. 1997/1871.back [26] Section 20A was inserted by S.I. 1988/1221 and amended by S.I. 1994/2012 and section 42(1) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c.22).back [29] Section 55A was inserted by S.I. 1988/1221 and amended by section 42(2) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c.22).back [30] Relevant amendments were made by S.I. 1988/1221.back [31] Sub-paragraph (1A) was inserted in each of paragraphs 7 and 13 by S.I. 1988/1221 and sub-paragraph (1B) was similarly inserted by S.I. 1994/2012.back [35] S.R. & O. 1946/2157; relevant amending instrument is S.I. 1992/1206.back [36] See Command Paper 6614.back [37] See Command Paper 6993.back [38] O.J. No. L194, 25.7.1975, p.39. Council Directive 75/442/EEC was amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC (O.J. No. L78, 26.3.1991, p.32) and by Commission Decision 94/3/EC (O.J. No. L5, 7.1.1994, p.15).back [39] O.J. No. L337, 31.12.1991, p.20. Council Directive 91/689/EEC was amended by Directive 94/31/EC (O.J. No. L168, 2.7.1994, p.28).back [40] O.J. No. L135, 30.5.1991, p.40.back [41] 1974 c.40; section 30A was inserted by the Water Act 1989 (c.15), Schedule 23, paragraph 4 and amended by the Environment Act 1995 (c.25), Schedule 22, paragraph 29(2) and (3).back [42] O.J. No.L103, 25.4.1979, p.1.back [43] O.J. No.L206, 22.7.1992, p.7.back
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