Question
How they propose to transpose European Union Directive 2003/35/EC into United Kingdom law; and when they propose to do this.
Answer
Directive 2003/35/EC, which amends Directive 85/337/EEC dealing with environmental impact assessment and Directive 96/61/EC on pollution prevention and control, will be transposed by a number of legislative instruments. Proposals for transposing the amendments to Directive 85/337/EC, as far as projects falling within the planning system in England are concerned, are set out in a consultation document published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 14 March, and the directive will be implemented, in the light of comments received, as soon as possible after the consultation period ends on 6 June. There will be separate legislative instruments to transpose the amendments to that directive for projects falling outside the planning system, and for projects in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar. Regulations to transpose the amendments to Directive 96/61/EC via the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 (England and Wales), and separate regulations for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Gibraltar, are expected to come into force on 25 June 2005. Further regulations to transpose the amendments to that directive via the Offshore Combustion Installations (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Regulations 2001 will come into force later this year.