5.—(1) A person who is minded to carry out development may request the relevant planning authority to adopt a screening opinion.
(2) A request for a screening opinion shall be accompanied by–
(a)a plan sufficient to identify the land;
(b)a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and
(c)such other information or representations as the person making the request may wish to provide or make.
(3) An authority receiving a request for a screening opinion shall, if they consider that they have not been provided with sufficient information to adopt an opinion, notify in writing the person making the request of the points on which they require additional information.
(4) An authority shall adopt a screening opinion within three weeks beginning with the date of receipt of a request made pursuant to paragraph (1) or such longer period as may be agreed in writing with the person making the request.
(5) An authority which adopts a screening opinion pursuant to paragraph (4) shall forthwith send a copy to the person who made the request.
(6) Where an authority–
(a)fail to adopt a screening opinion within the relevant period mentioned in paragraph (4); or
(b)adopt an opinion to the effect that the development is EIA development;
the person who requested the opinion may request the Scottish Ministers to make a screening direction.
(7) The person may make a request pursuant to paragraph (6) even if the authority have not received additional information which they have sought under paragraph (3).