§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he intends to implement the amended EIA Directive for planning in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [51897]
§ Mr. CabornThe Government have today issued draft Regulations to implement the requirements of the amending EIA Directive (97/11/EC) into the Town and Country Planning System in England and Wales. A copy of the draft Regulations has been placed in the Library.
The amending Directive does not bring fundamental changes to the existing system and we have taken the opportunity to consolidate, as well as amend, the existing provisions. The two previous consultation exercises on implementation of the Directive have brought support for the Government's approach, including the use of thresholds or criteria to assist planning authorities in deciding whether or not a development requires Environmental Impact Assessment. The level and application of these criteria have been set after consultation, but to ensure the maximum protection for the environment and the minimum burden on planning authorities and developers, the system will be reviewed after two years of operation.