Directive 97/11/EC stipulates in Article 5(3) that the information to be provided for projects with a possible environmental impact must contain an outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer and an indication of the main reasons for the choice made. Article 6(2) provides that the information specified in Article 5 must be made available to the public to give the public concerned the opportunity to express an opinion before the development consent is granted.

Information on the Menorca Island Council’s scheme to improve the Me-1 road between Maó and Alaior (Balearic Islands, Spain) was made available to the public in an announcement published in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands on 5 February 2013. However, according to the technical report by the Balearic Islands Environment Committee dated 10 June 2013, ‘the environmental impact assessment did not propose alternatives to analyse whether all of the roundabouts in the scheme are essential and above all whether all of them are especially justified’.

The public concerned was therefore unable to exercise its right to consultation and opinion on this issue before the decision was taken to approve the scheme.

Is the European Union going to examine this case and ensure compliance with Directive 97/11/EC?