Information as to adoption of plan or programme
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(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after the adoption of a plan or programme for which an environmental assessment has been carried out under these Regulations, the responsible authority shall— (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (aa) publish the plan or programme, as adopted, its accompanying environmental report and a statement containing the particulars specified in paragraph (4) (“the relevant adoption documents”) on a public website at which the documents may be viewed and downloaded free of charge; (ab) provide a copy of the relevant adoption documents by email to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request; (ac) provide one copy of the relevant adoption documents by post to any person who requests a copy, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of that person’s request, unless it is not reasonably practicable to provide a copy by post for reasons connected to the effects of coronavirus, including restrictions on movement; (ad) make available a telephone number for the public to make enquiries in relation to the relevant adoption documents; and (b) take such steps as it considers appropriate to bring to the attention of the public— (i) the title of the plan or programme; (ii) the date on which it was adopted; (iii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (iv) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (v) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (vi) the address of the website at which the relevant adoption documents may be viewed and downloaded free of charge; (vii) the fact that a copy of the relevant adoption documents may be obtained by email from the responsible authority; (viii) the fact that a copy of the relevant adoption documents may be obtained by post from the responsible authority, provided that it is reasonably practicable for the authority to provide a copy by post; (ix) the address, email address and telephone number for the purpose of requesting a copy of the relevant adoption documents either by email or by post; (x) whether a charge will be made for copies of the relevant adoption documents provided by post, and the amount of any charge; and (xi) a telephone number which can be used to contact the responsible authority for enquiries in relation to the relevant adoption documents. (2) As soon as reasonably practicable after the adoption of a plan or programme— (a) the responsible authority shall inform— (i) the consultation bodies; (ii) the persons who, in relation to the plan or programme, were public consultees for the purposes of regulation 13; and (iii) where the responsible authority is not the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State; and (b) the Secretary of State shall inform the Member State with which consultations in relation to the plan or programme have taken place under regulation 14(4), of the matters referred to in paragraph (3). (3) The matters are— (a) that the plan or programme has been adopted; (b) the date on which it was adopted; and (c) the address of the website at which a copy of— (i) the plan or programme, as adopted; (ii) its accompanying environmental report; and (iii) a statement containing the particulars specified in paragraph (4), may be viewed, or from which a copy may be obtained; (d) the fact that a copy of the relevant adoption documents may be obtained by email from the responsible authority; (e) the fact that a copy of the relevant adoption documents may be obtained by post, provided that it is reasonably practicable for the responsible authority to provide a copy by post; (f) the address, email address and telephone number for the purpose of requesting a copy of the relevant adoption documents either by email or by post; (g) whether a charge will be made for copies of the relevant adoption documents provided by post, and the amount of any charge; and (h) a telephone number which can be used to contact the responsible authority for enquiries in relation to the relevant adoption documents. (4) The particulars referred to in paragraphs (1)(b)(vi) and (3)(c)(iii) are — (a) how environmental considerations have been integrated into the plan or programme; (b) how the environmental report has been taken into account; (c) how opinions expressed in response to— (i) the invitation referred to in regulation 13(2)(d); (ii) action taken by the responsible authority in accordance with regulation 13(4), have been taken into account; (d) how the results of any consultations entered into under regulation 14(4) have been taken into account; (e) the reasons for choosing the plan or programme as adopted, in the light of the other reasonable alternatives dealt with; and (f) the measures that are to be taken to monitor the significant environmental effects of the implementation of the plan or programme. (5) Nothing in paragraph (1)(ac) shall require the responsible authority to provide copies of the relevant adoption documents by post free of charge, but where a charge is made, that charge shall be of a reasonable amount.