A Consultation Paper

The Draft Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amended) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

The Department of the Environment has issued a consultation paper which sets out the Department’s proposals for implementing Article 3 of European Directive 2003/35/EC (the ‘Public Participation Directive’), which amends Council Directive 85/337/EEC (the Environmental Impact Assessment or ‘EIA Directive’).

The Public Participation Directive makes amendments to the EIA Directive aimed at developing the public participation and access to justice provisions in EIA. The proposals in this consultation paper apply to the implementation of the amended EIA Directive in relation to projects falling within the planning sector.

The consultation paper is available on the Planning service website at www.planningni.gov.uk. Alternatively you can request a copy by telephone: 028 9041 6966, by fax: 028 9041 6960 or by text phone: 028 9054 0642.

Responses are sought by 30th September 2005.

Mr J Cummins, Divisional Planning Manager