Environment: assessment of effects of certain plans and programmes

The vote on the report by Mr GAHRTON (V, SE) took place during the October I part-session (Tuesday 6 October 1998). Presenting Mr Per GAHRTON’s report, Mr Paul LANNOYE (V, BE) stressed that the Commission’s proposal met a need and had therefore been favourably received by the Committee on the Environment. He highlighted the important extension in Annex 1. However, the proposal was deficient as it imposed limits on the possibility of assessing projects. Mr Paul LANNOYE therefore indicated the problem which would arise if the impact study was carried out at too late a stage in the process of planning projects, thereby making it difficult to go back. As a result, although this directive was heading in the right direction, the Committee on the Environment felt that it was too restrictive and therefore proposed a series of amendments to improve it. Among these amendments, Mr LANNOYE mainly mentioned those which aimed to ensure that the possibility of carrying out a study was not limited to town and country plans and programmes. The report also proposed a positive and non-restrictive list of plans and programmes requiring a study. Clarifications were also made as regards the conditions for citizens to participate in a public inquiry and the Committee on the Environment hoped that all the alternatives (including option O) would be considered, if necessary.