§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many environmental impact assessments have been presented with planning applications in each of the last three years; and what assessment has been made of their compliance with the EC directive on environmental impact assessment.
§ Mr. BaldryThe number of environmental statements accompanying planning applications in England notified to my Department in the three years since directive 85/337/EEC came into effect in July 1988 is:
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Number July 1988-July 1989 51 July 1989-July 1990 133 July 1990-July 1991 147 It is the responsibility of the planning authority to which an environmental statement is submitted to consider its adequacy and whether it complies with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988 which implement directive 85/337/EEC in respect of projects requiring planning permission. Where an application is the subject of an appeal or is called in, the responsibility transfers to the inspector or the Secretary of State. The regulations empower an authority, an inspector or the Secretary of State to require the applicant to provide such further information as may be specified.