The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004

Consultation procedures

12.—(1) Every draft plan or programme for which an environmental report has been prepared in accordance with regulation 11 and its accompanying environmental report (“the relevant documents”) shall be made available to the consultation body and to the public in accordance with the following provisions of this regulation.

(2) As soon as reasonably practicable after their preparation, the responsible authority shall send a copy of the relevant documents to the consultation body and invite it to express its opinion on the relevant documents within a specified period.

(3) The responsible authority shall also –

(a)within 14 days of the preparation of the relevant documents, publish in accordance with paragraph (5), or secure the publication of, a notice –

(i)stating the title of the plan, programme or modification;

(ii)stating the address (which may include a website) at which a copy of the relevant documents may be inspected or from which a copy may be obtained;

(iii)inviting expressions of opinion on the relevant documents;

(iv)stating the address to which, and the period within which, opinions must be sent; and

(b)keep a copy of the relevant documents available at its principal office for inspection by the public at all reasonable times and free of charge; and

(c)publish a copy of the relevant documents on the authority’s website.

(4) The periods referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3)(a)(iv) must be of such length as will ensure that those to whom the invitation is extended are given an early and effective opportunity to express their opinion on the relevant documents.

(5) Publication of a notice under paragraph (3)(a) shall be by such means as will ensure that the contents of the notice are likely to come to the attention of the public affected by, or likely to be affected by, or having an interest in, the draft plan or the programme.

(6) Nothing in paragraph (3)(a)(ii) shall require the responsible authority to provide a copy of the documents concerned free of charge; but where a charge is made, it shall be of a reasonable amount.