reg 10 Exceptions
(1) An appropriate authority may determine that an environmental impact assessment is not required in relation to regulated activity that is to be carried out in the course of a Schedule A1 project or a Schedule A2 project, if it is satisfied— (a) that— (i) a determination that an environmental impact assessment is not required for the regulated activity can be justified in accordance with Article 2(4) of the EIA Directive (exemption for exceptional cases); and (ii) the regulated activity would not be likely to have significant effects on the environment of an EEA State; or (b) that— (i) assessment of any significant effects on the environment of the project in question has already been, is being or is to be carried out by the appropriate authority or by another consenting authority; and (ii) such assessment is (or will be) sufficient to meet the requirements of any law of any part of the United Kingdom that implemented the EIA Directive in relation to that project. (2) Where the appropriate authority determines in accordance with paragraph (1) that an environmental impact assessment is not required in relation to a regulated activity, it must notify— (a) the applicant, and (b) where the appropriate authority is not also the regulator, the regulator. (2A) Where the appropriate authority determines in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) that an environmental impact assessment is not required in relation to a regulated activity, it must— (a) consider whether another form of assessment of the likely significant effects of the project on the environment is appropriate; and (b) make available to the public concerned— (i) the determination, including an explanation of the reasons for it; and (ii) the information obtained under any other assessment referred to in sub-paragraph (a). (3) Where the appropriate authority determines in accordance with paragraph (1)(a) that an environmental impact assessment is not required in relation to a regulated activity, the applicant must provide the appropriate authority with such information as it requires for the purpose of meeting the provisions of Article 2(4) of the EIA Directive , namely the provision to ensure that information relating to the regulated activity and the reasons for its determination are — (a) published in such manner as it considers appropriate; (b) in the case of an activity requiring regulatory approval under the 1985 Act or the 2009 Act, made available on the relevant Public Register. (3A) Paragraphs (4) to (4J) apply where the appropriate authority determines in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) that an environmental impact assessment is not required in relation to a regulated activity by reason of an assessment carried out by another consenting authority. (4) The regulator— (a) must not grant regulatory approval unless it has determined that to do so would be compatible with the other consenting authority’s measures to comply with any law of any part of the United Kingdom that implemented the EIA Directive; and (b) for the purpose of so determining must consider whether it is appropriate to seek the views of the other consenting authority. (4A) Any decision to grant a regulatory approval must take into account the following information relating to the other consenting authority’s assessment referred to in paragraph (1)(b)— (a) the conclusion of the assessment; (b) any relevant conditions attached to any consent granted in respect of the project by the other consenting authority and which relate to the likely significant environmental effects of the project on the environment; (c) a description of any features of the project and any measures envisaged in order to avoid, prevent, reduce and, if possible, offset likely significant adverse effects of the project on the environment; (d) any monitoring measures considered appropriate by the other consenting authority in relation to the project; and (e) any comments of the other consenting authority relating to the regulated activity. (4B) The regulator must be satisfied that the information incorporated in the other consenting authority’s assessment and consent (if any) is up to date at the time that the regulatory decision is taken, but that information and the other consenting authority’s assessment and consent (if any) must be taken to be up to date if, in the opinion of the regulator, they address the significant effects that the proposed project is likely to have on the environment. (4C) The regulatory decision must be taken within a period of time which— (a) is reasonable, taking into account the nature and complexity of the regulated activity; and (b) begins with the date on which the other consenting authority’s decision is published. (4D) Where the regulator decides to refuse regulatory approval, the regulator must state the main reasons for the refusal. (4E) Where the regulator decides to grant regulatory approval, the regulator must incorporate in the regulatory decision— (a) a summary of the other consenting authority’s conclusion referred to in paragraph (4A)(a); (b) any environmental conditions, mitigating or monitoring measures attached to the regulatory decision; and (c) a statement including— (i) the main reasons and considerations on which the regulatory decision is based including, if relevant, information about the participation of the public; and (ii) a summary of the results of the consultations undertaken, and information gathered, in respect of the application and how those results have been incorporated or otherwise addressed. (4F) The regulator must, as soon as reasonably possible, send a copy of its regulatory decision to— (a) the applicant; (b) if the regulator is not also the appropriate authority, the appropriate authority; (c) every consultation body to whom the other consenting authority sent written notice of its decision; (d) the authorities of any EEA State to whom the other consenting authority sent written notice of its decision; and (e) any other person or body consulted by the regulator under section 8(11B) of the 1985 Act or section 69(4) of the 2009 Act. (4G) The regulator must, as soon as possible after its decision is sent to the applicant pursuant to paragraph (4F), ensure that— (a) notice of that decision is published on the regulator’s website and in such other manner as it considers appropriate; and (b) it promptly makes a written copy of the regulatory decision available for public inspection. (4H) In paragraph (4G), “public inspection” means— (a) in the case of an activity requiring regulatory approval under the 1985 Act or the 2009 Act, inspection on the relevant Public Register; and (b) in the case of other regulated activities, inspection at the address nominated by the appropriate authority under regulation 16(2)(e). (4I) The notice in paragraph (4G)(a) must state— (a) that the regulator has made available for public inspection the written copy of the regulatory decision; and (b) the times at which the relevant Public Register or the information at the address referred to in paragraph (4H)(b) may be inspected. (4J) A decision to grant regulatory approval which includes a monitoring measure may include a condition as to the payment of a reasonable fee, determined in accordance with regulation 3(4) and (5), in respect of expenses incurred in assessing and interpreting the results of any monitoring measure. (5) Paragraph (1) is subject to regulation 10A. (6) For the purpose of paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (3), Article 2(4) of the EIA Directive is to be read as if— (a) in the first sub-paragraph, the words “Without prejudice to Article 7,” were omitted; (b) “Member States”, in both places where it occurs, were read as “appropriate authority”; (b) in the second sub-paragraph, point (c) were omitted; (c) the third and fourth sub-paragraphs were omitted.