Clr Jacob Birch....9 Jun 2021 18:17
RATHLIN EIA UPDATE
I have today received a full response with regards to my request of the Secretary of State to issue their own screening direction.
I am extremely disappointed to say that the Secretary of State has decided that the proposals by Rathlin Energy UK are NOT “EIA Development”.
This decision is extremely disappointing for residents and myself, who hope the Secretary of State would see the impacts this will have and direct this to be an EIA Development.
An extract of the response letter follows but full copies of the letter and report can be seen below:
“The above development falls within the description at 2(d – deep drillings) and 2(e – surface industrial installations for the extraction of petroleum) of Schedule 2 to the 2017 Regulations. Therefore, the Secretary of State considers the proposals to be ‘Schedule 2 development’ within the meaning of the 2017 Regulations.
However, in the opinion of the Secretary of State and having taken into account the selection criteria in Schedule 3 to the 2017 Regulations, the proposal is not likely to have significant effects on the environment, see the attached written statement which gives the reasons for direction as required by 5(5) of the EIA Regulations.
Accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by regulation 5(3) of the 2017 Regulations the Secretary of State hereby directs that the proposed development is not ‘EIA development’ within the meaning of the 2017 Regulations. Permitted development rights under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (SI 596) as amended are therefore unaffected.”