§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether an environmental impact assessment is required for applications to amend planning permissions where such an assessment(a) was required and (b) would have been required had it not predated the introduction of environmental impact assessments. [86872]
§ Mr. McNultyApplications to vary a condition attached to a planning permission are subject to the same requirements as other planning applications for the purposes of environmental impact assessment (EIA). For certain types of project EIA is mandatory. For others, EIA is required if the project meets prescribed criteria and the planning authority considers that it is likely to have significant effects on the environment. This applies to applications to vary a permission regardless of whether EIA was required for the original permission or whether that permission predated the introduction of EIA.