WRITTEN QUESTION E-1980/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(8 July 2002)

Subject: Underground carpark in Piazza Sempione in Rome

In Rome work is about to start on an underground carpark in Piazza Sempione (in the context of the PUP Urban Carpark Plan) which will contain 79 private garages. The work is taking place on a large building site which may damage the square and the whole Città Giardino district, an area of particular architectural and historical interest. Transport in the area will also be severely jeopardised by the building site, which could remain there for at least two years, not counting further delays which may be caused by checks to be carried out by the Cultural Heritage Office. The project has not yet been subjected to an environmental impact assessment and the technicians from the local branch of the city police have expressed their opposition, as have the Council of the 4th municipal district and a large number of residents, many of whom have signed a petition on the subject.

Can the Commission say;

1. whether the project has to be subjected to a compulsory environmental impact assessment;

2. whether, before works are started in areas of potential architectural importance, appropriate land surveys should be carried out;

3. whether there are any studies, directives or other documents dealing with the protection of areas of historical and architectural interest;

4. whether it can express a general opinion on the subject?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2002)

With reference to the information supplied by the Honourable Member, the Commission can confirm that car park projects are covered by Annex II (paragraph 10(b)) to Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985(1), as amended by Directive 97/11/EC(2), on the assessment of the effects of certain projects on the environment.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is not compulsory for projects listed in Annex II, but Member States must determine through a case-by-case examination or on the basis of thresholds or criteria set by the Member State whether the project is to be made subject to an EIA (screening procedure).

Regarding the implementation of this screening, Annex III to the Directive stipulates that the environmental sensitivity of certain areas must be considered, having regard inter alia to the absorption capacity of the natural environment and paying particular attention to certain areas, including landscapes of historical, cultural or archaeological significance (Annex III, paragraph 2(h)).

The competent authorities' decision, once the screening is complete, on whether or not to subject the project to an EIA must be made available to the public.

The information supplied by the Honourable Member does not enable any infringement of the EIA Directive to be confirmed. As the Directive does not provide for the Commission to be informed of EIAs or screenings carried out by the competent authorities of the Member States, it is unable to say whether the procedures have been followed in this particular instance.

If the Honourable Member provides details enabling the Commission to evaluate the situation in relation to the EIA Directive, it will be able to investigate the project.

As regards culture, Article 151 of the EC Treaty grants the Community only limited powers.

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention here to the fact that it has no power to intervene to safeguard the archaeological heritage of the Member States outside the context of existing programmes and initiatives.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.