Opinion of the Scottish Ministers as to content of the environmental statement
7.—(1) In these Regulations, “environmental statement” means a statement that includes–
(a)the information set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to these Regulations; and
(b)such of the information set out in Part 2 of that Schedule as is reasonably required to assess the environmental effects of the relevant project and which, having regard in particular to current knowledge and methods of assessment, the applicant can reasonably be required to compile;
and Schedule 1 shall have effect for these purposes.
(2) At the request of a prospective applicant, the Scottish Ministers shall give an opinion as to the information to be provided by an environmental statement.
(3) Before giving their opinion, the Scottish Ministers shall consult–
(a)the prospective applicant;
(b)the owner (if the owner is not the person requesting the opinion); and
(c)the appropriate consultation bodies,
as to the information to be provided by the environmental statement.
(4) The Scottish Ministers shall send a copy of their opinion given under this regulation to any person who has been consulted under paragraph (3).