HC Deb 27 July 1989 vol 157 cc935-6W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information, including baseline data, other than that submitted by the developer he has when determining whether environmental assessment is required; and if he will make public all the information used in determining whether or not environmental assessment is required for schedule 2 projects;

(2) what matters other than those referred to in general terms in paragraphs 18–29 and appendix A of circular 15/88 have been taken into account when determining whether environmental assessment is required for schedule 2 projects; and if he will give details of variations and the reasons therefore;

(3) what variations there have been, and on what basis, in adherence to the numerical criteria and thresholds in appendix A of circular 15/88 when directing whether environmental assessment is required.

Mr. Moynihan

Environmental assessment is required for any projects of the types listed in schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988 which are likely to have significant environmental effects. Whether or not any particular project is likely to have significant effects so that environmental assessment is required is a matter of judgment from case to case. In exercising that judgment for the purpose of directing whether or not environmental assessment is required for any particular case the Secretary of State takes account of relevant information in his possession about the nature, size and location of the project and will if appropriate seek further information from the developer, the local planning authority or others with information in their possession. The Secretary of State has regard to the general guidance in DoE circular 15/88. That guidance, however, is indicative in nature and does not obviate the need for a judgment to be made in each case. The guidance in circular 15/88 will be amended or augmented from time to time in the light of the decisions which have been made. However, such amendment has not been necessary so far.